Updated Advice to Clubs and Counties in the 26 Counties – Sept 16th 2020 

Following the publication of the Irish Government’s Plan for Living with Covid 19 document on Sept 15th, the GAA’s Covid Advisory group has issued the following key updates for those involved in Gaelic Games in the 26 Counties: 

1. Use of Indoor Team Facilities 

Dressing rooms, showers, gyms or indoor training facilities should remain closed for club activities, or for teams participating in 2nd schools or 3rd level competitions. This position will be reviewed in early October when further advice will issue. Inter county activity has been classified as an exemption to the normal restrictive provisions by the Government. Therefore the use of such facilities currently is for Inter County Teams only (Senior, Minor, U18, U16 and U14 who are in official 2020 competitions only) and should be carried out in accordance with the Return to Training and Play for Inter County Teams advice document issued over the weekend. Inter County players may use their relevant Club Gym once following the advice in the Inter County Return to Training and Play document. 

2. Club Training

If a County is classified as being at Level 1, training on a contact basis can take place as normal at all levels, but with the control measures as per the Gaelic Games’s Return to Play Document in place (i.e. Health Questionnaires etc) All Counties are currently considered to be at Level 2 in the Government Classifications. This means teams can train outdoors on a contact basis in pods of up to 15 (underage). Adult club teams can train as normal. If a county moves to Level 3, underage training must be on a non-contact basis in pods of up to 15. Adult teams can continue to train as normal If a county moves to level 4 all outdoor training, both adult and underage, must be on a non-contact basis A level 5 classification means no organised outdoor gatherings (collective training) can take place. 

3. Attendances 

There are no Counties currently classified as Level 1. If a County moves to this classification, up to 200 spectators can attend in grounds with an accredited capacity of less than 5,000 and up to 500 for grounds with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000

All Counties are currently classified as Level 2. This means up to 100 spectators can attend in grounds with an accredited capacity of less than 5,000 and up to 200 for grounds with a minimum accredited capacity of 5,000 (note this does not apply to games taking place in Dublin at the moment where only 100 spectators are allowed to attend, irrespective of ground capacity). 

The figures quoted above are in addition to players/match officials/stewards. Where attendances are permitted for club games, the previously issued provisions on a parent/guardian being allowed attend at underage games should be factored into the final figure (i.e. parents/guardians should be included in the final 100 or 200 figure). 

If a county moves to a Level 3 classification, no spectators are permitted, but adult club and county matches can continue to take place behind closed doors. Underage games cannot take place (U-18 or below) At Level 4 only intercounty games can take place. At Level 5 no games at all are permitted. While it is not obligatory, Spectators at Gaelic Games games are encouraged to wear face masks where possible. 

4. Challenge 

Games Challenge games at club level are permitted in Level 1 and Level 2 Counties only. Club Challenge games in Level 3 Counties are not permitted – neither are clubs from Level 3 Counties (or Level 2 with additional restrictions) permitted to travel outside the County to play a challenge game. Inter County Challenge games may take place in Level 3 or 4 Counties and inter county teams from such Counties may travel to other Counties to play a Challenge game (as per the Government Exemption for Inter County Teams) 

5. Committee Meetings 

Committee meetings can only be held in Controlled Environments with a named event organiser. Level 2 - GAA Covid Advisory group are recommending that on a Risk minimisation basis the only indoor meetings that should be held in Level 2 Counties are:

 • Disciplinary Meetings (max of 14 personnel)

 • Club Executive meetings (max of 14 personnel)

 • County Management meetings (max of 14 personnel)

No indoor meetings should be held in Counties at level 3 or above. Advice on meetings should a county achieve level 1 status will be provided as required. All Meetings must follow the guidelines laid down by the GAA’s National Health and Safety Committee (attached) and attendees should be asked to confirm they do not have any symptoms or a temperature in excess of 37.5c before attending.

6. Officer Training 

These events are permitted by the GAA/LGFA/Camogie in Level 1 and 2 Counties only – and are subject to maximums of:

- Level 1 – up to a maximum of 50 people

- Level 2 – up to a maximum of 20 people 

All Training events must follow the guidelines laid down by the GAA’s National Health and Safety Committee and attendees should be asked to confirm they do not have any symptoms or a temperature in excess of 37.5c before attending. 

7. Club Bars Club Bars – as with all other licensed premises in general society – are subject to the various restrictions and regulations in the Government’s Plan for Living with Covid 19 document. See www.gov.ie/covid19 

8. Other Indoor Events on GAA Property

The Advisory Group is recommending that other indoor events – such as Bingo etc – on GAA/LGFA property do not take place for the moment unless a County is classified as Level 1. Commercial use of indoor halls continues to be permitted where agreement was in place prior to March and relevant insurance is in place. Use by State bodies e.g. HSE/Schools is also permitted.

9. Clubs in the Six Counties

Ulster GAA has shared these proposals with the authorities in the six counties and will issue an update in respect of emerging advice from Department for Communities and public health organisations in due course.