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Grouse shooting and gun hunting in England are among the outdoor activities exempt from government ‘rule of six’ coronavirus regulations.
Confirmation that the latest health protection regulations allow groups of up to 30 people to participate in any “sports meeting” was released just minutes before it went into effect.
According to one report, an internal government dispute over whether blood sports should be exempted allegedly delayed his release.
Like its previous versions, the 2020 Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) Regulation (No. 2) (England) (Amendment) (No. 4) was developed too late for most people read it before they were subject to its legal compliance. rules.
An attached government guidance page on coronavirus provides clearer instructions on “What you can and cannot do” as of Monday, September 14.
It contains a list of sports and physical activities that people can participate in in groups of more than six. The list includes mainstream sports like soccer, rugby, cricket, and hockey, as well as less popular sports like curling, polo, and shooting.
The reference to shooting is the only one qualified with a note that says: “Includes hunting and paintball requiring a shotgun or firearms license.” A link takes readers to the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC).
In a statement on its website, BASC said: “The ‘rule of six’ restrictions introduced today could have disrupted shooting games that typically involve eight or more people. However, the exemption will allow filming to operate under the safe guidance of Covid. “
Ian Bell, the organization’s executive director, said: “The government’s decision to allow filming to continue in its current format in England is the correct one.”
A Huffington Post report claimed that a Cabinet Office subcommittee meeting to discuss the implications for sports and blood sports had been canceled.
The news prompted mocking comments on Twitter. One parent commented: “It looks like my youngest son is going grouse hunting with his friends for his third birthday. Thanks Tories! “
A UK government spokesperson said: “We have exempted more than 30 types of sport, exercise and physical activity such as football, rugby and other outdoor activities.
“Outdoor activity is safer from a broadcast perspective and it is often easier to socially distance yourself. Where such activities take place, security measures should be taken, including conducting a risk assessment and following the Covid-19 safe guide. “
The Scottish government is under pressure to exclude grouse moorlands and field sports from its latest restrictions, after Scottish legislation, which also went into effect on Monday, said that any organized outdoor and organized activity by a company or a sports body, it was permissible.
The Scottish Health Protection (Coronavirus) (Restrictions) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 does not clearly specify whether there is a limit to the number of people participating in such activities.
Alison Johnstone, a health spokeswoman for the Scottish Green Party, said that having this kind of exemption was ridiculous.
“This cannot be allowed to happen in Scotland,” he said. “The small minority who derive pleasure from killing wild animals is no more important than the thousands who are kept from seeing friends and family. 30 people shouldn’t be able to get together to shoot grouse when 30 people can’t attend a wake for a lost loved one.
“The Scottish government urgently needs to clarify Scottish rules so that this does not happen.”
Colin Shedden, Scottish Director of the British Shooting and Conservation Association, said Scottish coronavirus rules had allowed capercaillie and pheasant to be shot for some time, provided organizers followed correct physical distancing and hygiene regulations.
He said the Scottish government had approved the coronavirus rules for field sports drawn up by BASC in July. He added that Westminster “has now caught up with where we are in Scotland. There is a framework that allows filming to take place in the field, socially distanced, people bringing their own food, along with safe hygiene respected at all times ”.
Kit Malthouse, the Home Office police minister, has encouraged people to report their neighbors for failing to comply with the new coronavirus restriction of the “rule of six” when it came into effect in England.
On Monday, social gatherings of more than six people were declared illegal, and people faced fines of up to £ 3,200 if they fail to comply with the measure indoors and outdoors.
Malthouse said concerned neighbors should call non-emergency police number 101 to report violations.
“We are in discussions about what reporting mechanisms might exist, but obviously there is a non-emergency number that people can call and report any problems they want,” he told BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
However, in a briefing on Monday, Downing Street said officers would not immediately begin imposing fines on those who break the rules.
