Guidelines for using Leafield Community Gym during the Coronavirus pandemic

LCG Risk Assessment PDF

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Updated 23/07/2020

We all must play a part in keeping ourselves, other gym members, and our community safe whilst coronavirus (COVID-19) is still a risk.

Please follow this guidance when using the gym.

Do not use the gym if you feel unwell. This is to prevent the spread of the virus or other illnesses.

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

More information about symptoms is available on the NHS website

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/symptoms/#symptoms

If you develop coronavirus symptoms and/or test positive for COVID-19, please inform us as soon as possible by email leafieldgym@gmail.com. This is so we can tell the members that used the gym after you to self-isolate. If we have a suspected or confirmed case of coronavirus amongst gym users, we will temporarily close the gym so that deep cleaning can take place.

Arranging to use the gym

In order to keep you safe and reduce the risk of infection, we have introduced a booking system

• Only one individual, couple or family (from the same household) can use the gym at any one time

• Before you use the gym you must book online. Go to the Booking Form page on this site where one-hour slots will be available between 6am and 10pm every day for a week.

• To book a session you must enter your:
• Name*
• Email address*
• Landline or mobile number*
• Tick to acknowledge the disclaimer
• Select the session(s) you want to book (only available slots will be visible in the drop down menu)
• Then click submit. You will receive an email confirming the booking.

If you intend to use the gym as a couple or with other family member(s), you must also provide their names* in the online booking form

• Please be considerate to other gym members by not booking more than 4 sessions a week and avoid booking the same time slot every visit
• If you need to cancel a booking for any reason, can you please email us at leafieldgym@gmail.com so we can make that slot available to someone else
• You can book up to 7 days in advance, or if you feel spontaneous check the gym website and book any empty slot there and then.

Note: The Committee will monitor gym use to ensure fair access and we welcome feedback from members on how the booking system works.

* In line with Government guidance, we have to assist the NHS Test and Trace service by keeping a temporary record of gym attendees for 21 days. All personal information will be held securely, and will only be used for gym administrative purposes and to meet requests from the NHS Test and Trace service.

At the gym

• If another member is still in the gym when you arrive, knock on the door to alert him/her to your presence, but then wait outside maintaining a social distance of 2 metres until they have left the building
• On entering the gym sanitise your hands using the alcohol gel provided
• The Government advises that good ventilation of spaces being used for high intensity exercise is an important part of reducing the transmission of COVID-19. Therefore we strongly advise you to open all or at least some of the windows when using the gym to increase the flow of fresh air into the space. We will be leaving the windows unlocked to facilitate this.
• You can also wedge open the door if you feel it is safe to do so. Please use the fans to increase the flow of air
• We are keeping the internal door through to the toilets unlocked and open to increase ventilation, so please do not close and lock this door
• Before using any piece of equipment you must spray all touch points with the alcohol based spray provided, wipe dry with a hand towel, and then throw the used paper towels in the bin. This cleaning process should include control panels, handles, saddles/seats, dumbbell handles, weight adjustments pins, exercise ball, rolled mats.
• When using the gym please avoid touching your face
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or bent elbow when coughing or sneezing. Immediately dispose of used tissues in a bin and wash your hands for 20 seconds or clean them with alcohol hand sanitiser
• Please bring your own water or sports drink rather than using the kitche
• After you finish using a piece of equipment, again sanitise it using the alcohol based spray provided and wipe dry with paper towels
• At the end of your session please close any windows you opened (you do not need to lock them with the key)
• Throw any rubbish or used hand towels in the bin, and take all belongings with you when you leave
• Please allow a few minutes at the end of your hour slot to complete these tasks, so you don’t keep the next person waiting
• If there is not another gym member waiting outside, please check that the entrance door is securely closed.

Toilets

The toilet facilities remain open to members. After using the facilities, please wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and then dry your hands using the hand towels provided. Information about good hand washing technique will be displayed in each toilet area and is available on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/.

Remember to lock the door between the gym and meeting room and leave the key hanging by the chain.

Please get in touch

Email the Gym Committee on leafieldgym@gmail.com if you have questions or concerns about using the gym.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Weighing up the risks

Exercising at the gym has positive benefits for both your physical health and mental wellbeing, but it is important to consider the potential risks during the pandemic. This is especially important if you are pregnant, have one or more of the health conditions listed below, or are undergoing certain treatments/ taking certain medications.

Coronavirus can make anyone seriously ill. But for some people, the risk is higher.

There are 2 levels of higher risk:

• High risk (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• Moderate risk (clinically vulnerable).

People at high risk from coronavirus include people who:

• Have had an organ transplant
• Are having chemotherapy or antibody treatment for cancer, including immunotherapy
• Have blood or bone marrow cancer (such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma)
• Have had a bone marrow or stem cell transplant in the past 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppressant medicine
• Have been told by a doctor they have a severe lung condition (such as cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD)
• Have a condition that means they have a very high risk of getting infections (such as SCID or sickle cell)
• Are taking medicine that makes them much more likely to get infections (such as high doses of steroids or immunosuppressant medicine)
• Have a serious heart condition and are pregnant

People at moderate risk from coronavirus include people who:

• Are 70 or older
• Have a lung condition that's not severe (such as asthma, COPD, emphysema or bronchitis)
• Have heart disease (such as heart failure)
• Have diabetes
• Have chronic kidney disease
• Have liver disease (such as hepatitis)
• Have a condition affecting the brain or nerves (such as Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis or cerebral palsy)
• Have a condition that means they have a high risk of getting infections
• Are taking medicine that can affect the immune system (such as low doses of steroids)
• Are very obese (a BMI of 40 or above)
• Are pregnant.

References

1. NHS (2020) Check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms. Published online

2. Sport England (2020) Hygiene for sport and physical activity. Published online

3. HM Government (17 July 2020) Guidance for providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities. Published online.