FA & ECFA Update re: COVID-19 and continuation of matches.

Over the summer period careful steps were taken by the FA, in conjunction with the Government, that allowed the gradual phased return of grassroots football, that opened the pathway for football to return in a competitive format for the 20/21 season in a covid secure way by adhering to the FA guidance. Grassroots football across Essex has responded very positively with more than 4600 teams affiliated to participate and with the vast majority of League competitions now underway, highlighting the excellent work of all the volunteers across the game to get to this position.

In recent days, further announcements and measures form the Government have been put in place and this is another important step on the journey to keep grassroots football playing safely. These have been shared directly by the FA but all updated guidance documents including an FA FAQ document and Master Guidance on Restarting Outdoor Football (updated 23rd September) can be accessed at https://www.essexfa.com/about/coronavirus

As from the 24th September Clubs and facility providers need to support the NHS Test and Trace system. This means ensuring information for all training sessions and matches is collected by one of the methods set out below:

· Each venue needs to register for an official NHS QR code and display the official NHS QR poster, which came into effect from Thursday 24 September to help NHS Test and Trace. This can be done here https://www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster Where clubs are utilising a venue from a facility provider discussion needs to take place with the facility provider as to who will produce the NHS QR code.
· In addition, there is an NHS Covid-19 app, which has a feature that allows users to quickly and easily ?check in? to your venue by scanning the code. The information stays on the user?s phone. In England, you do not have to ask people who choose to ?check in? using the official NHS QR code to provide their contact details at your site.
· If there is an outbreak associated with a venue, a message will be sent to the relevant app users with the necessary public health advice.
· For those who do not have a smart phone, or do not have the relevant software to access the QR code scan (for example), an alternative method should be available on site, such as a manual process to collect the relevant contact information to support Test and Trace. This information should be collected, processed and stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR principles for 21 days. It should be used only for the purpose of NHS Test and Trace and, where requested to share with the NHS for Test and Trace purposes, the shared information should relate only to the match or training in which the player or supporter tested positive.
· The Government?s current NHS Test and Trace guidance is available here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works with detail on how to maintain Test and Trace records here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/maintaining-records-of-staff-customers-and-visitors-to-support-nhs-test-and-trace

The current landscape for both football and wider society continues to evolve in the current covid climate and by adhering to and supporting these measures football is helping to ensure that the game is best placed to continue. The role grassroots football is playing in supporting thousands of players to get access to vital activity levels and supporting healthy lifestyle with positive physical and mental wellbeing, is of huge value to each local community

All Essex FA staff remain fully contactable and available for support. If you wish to discuss any of the above in more detail, or require support in specific areas, then please contact the Essex FA Development, Coach Education, Refereeing, Safeguarding or Governance Teams via E-Mail or telephone.

I would also like to again thank all of our members for their ongoing support and commitment to grassroots football in Essex.

Best regards,

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