Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

Phase 3  The New Normal

Following the publication of the government’s Phase 3  Covid-19 measures which permit the opening of “summer camps” and “close contact sports” we have re-evaluated our protocols to ensure as far as practicable the safety of all participants and instructors at the Centre. Our aim at all times is to minimise the risk of infection of Covid-19 while maintaining the fun, learning experience of Oysterhaven that children have come to expect.

In addition to promoting the Public Health guidelines (DATE) to limit social interaction, avoid close contact and practice good hygiene, we have also examined all our activities in relation to the level of risk they pose to the participants. See our Safety Statement for details.

We draw the attention of all Applicants/Parents/Guardians to the Public Health advice (HPSC Infection Prevention and Control Guidance) which states: “It is important for parents to accept that no interpersonal activity is without risk of transmission of infection at any time. Generally speaking the closer the physical contact, the more likely infection is to spread from one person to another.”

On Site we will encourage everyone to observe 2 metre Social Distancing.

On Activity Camps and Sailing Courses we will aim to avoid Close Contact between participants.

In order to mitigate any potential risk we have implemented the following measures :

• Pre arrival Covid-19 Health Declaration and Symptom Checker
• Staggered arrival and departure times to limit congestion
• Hand washing on arrival 
• Practicing social distancing on site
• Limiting the capacity of changing rooms in line with covid advice
• Allocating wetsuits to participants for entire week
• Sanitising all equipment after use
• Regular documented sanitising of toilet facilities (plus disinfectant provided)
• Sanitising of all changing areas after use.
• Avoiding close contact while on activities wherever practicable
• Undertaking by participants to co-operate with their instructors.
• Managing groups of 6- 8 children, plus their instructor and assistant in “Pods”
• Maintaining a register of all groups’ participants to facilitate contact tracing if necessary.

Multi Activity Camps: Surfbusters, Hotshots, Multi-Skills

It should be noted that it is not possible to maintain 2 metre 'social distancing' while participating in these activities.  However 'close contact' (ie being face to face closer than 2 metres with the same person for more than 15 minutes) will be avoided as far as practicable.

Activities involving Sailing

Sailing is a lower risk sport compared with other permitted contact sports such as GAA or Rugby, and the possibilities of close contact are remote. Irish Sailing accepts that it is not possible for any sport to eliminate the risk of the spread of the virus completely, however to minimise the risk, participants will remain in ‘pods’ for the duration of the course and our instructors will take every precaution to avoid ‘close contact’ between the participants.

Sailing is an integral part of all our camps (except windsurfing). Sailing takes place in a variety of boats, some single handed, some double and some with several crew members. While it is possible with single and double handed to maintain social distancing, in the case of multi handed dinghies this is not possible.  As these boats are used for beginners’ sailing courses, such as Start Sailing and Basic Skills with an instructor on board, it is important for parents to acknowledge that participants will be sailing with others. Likewise for Improving Skills and Advanced Boat Handling participants should expect to be sailing with a partner at all times. 

Unfortunately we will not be able to run camps for children under 10 years old.  We know that this is very disappointing for both parents and children who were looking forward to these camps, as indeed it is for us. We trust that you will understand that close contact between children of this age range and their instructors is unavoidable. This means that we are cancelling Seals, Dolphins, Beachcombers, Starfish & Oysterclub for the 2020 season.  

Also due to Covid restrictions Bus and Meal Deal options are also not available this year.  

If your preferred date of course is showing FULL please proceed with your booking as normal and you will go on STANDBY.  We will then contact you if a place or course becomes available.

Sinead, Sophie and Amie are here and happy to chat to you on the ‘phone to give you an update so feel free to give us a call on 021 4770738, but please note that we are not taking any bookings over the ‘phone

SO PLEASE BOOK ONLINE.

Oliver Hart

Centre Director

27th June 2020