Current advice on carpooling while travelling to races - Sept 2021

Mountaineering Ireland is the national association for hillwalking clubs in Ireland and they recently got some guidelines from Sport Ireland about travelling and carpooling for their members. The guidelines for walkers would obviously apply to any runners travelling or car pooling as well. 

The advice is as follows:

• In line with the return of public and private transport participants may wish to return to the use of carpooling.
• Private transport carrying those not yet vaccinated or of mixed immunity should be aware of the higher risk.
• The use of appropriate face coverings is recommended.
• If carpooling, consider use of a pod system in which the same participants pool together for all activities.

For clubs that utilise private coaches etc. the advice is as follows:

1. While Public transport is operating at full capacity, Private Coach Tour activity is limited at 75% capacity with protective measures.
2. Sporting Organisations organising transport to/from events should implement private Coach Tour capacities (75%).
3. Protective measures such as physical distancing, mask wearing etc. should also be implemented.

Advice from Sport Northern Ireland for clubs, members and all other participants in Northern Ireland is as follows:

• When sharing transport e.g., private car when travelling to and from venues, it is important to maintain a flow of clean air through the vehicle. Ideally by opening windows back and front.