Coronavirus Update: 13th March 2020
The National Rifle Association and National Shooting Centre continue to closely monitor updates from the statutory authorities and Chief Medical Officers.
Whist further restrictions are being announced, we remain determined that it will be “business as usual” at Bisley.
In essence our ranges and other facilities will remain open as long as:-
- we have sufficient staff to ensure range safety and proper levels of service;
- there are sufficient shooters to justify the staff resources; and
- the statutory authorities do not issue advice that we should close.
We have instigated procedures to mitigate the risk of exposure to the virus for shooters, visitors and our staff. The patience and good humour shown by the large number of shooters and visitors with these new arrangements over the last week is greatly appreciated.
The situation is dynamic; please refer to the NRA website news section https://nra.org.uk/news/ for the latest updates.
How is it spread?
The spread of COVID-19 is most likely to happen when there is close contact (within 2 metres) with an infected person. It is likely that the risk increases the longer someone has close contact with an infected person.
Handwashing and Hygiene:
We are all advised to maintain a good handwashing hygiene routine. Wash your hands often with soap and water, or an alcohol sanitiser if handwashing facilities are unavailable.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue then throw the tissue into the bin. Remember the saying “Catch It, Bin It, Kill It.”
Surfaces Sanitising:
Viruses can be transferred to and by peoples’ hands; therefore regular hand hygiene and cleaning of frequently touched surfaces will help to reduce the risk of infection.
We are increasing the cleaning regime for such surfaces, including reception areas, ablutions, hire rifles and shotguns, shooting mats, range radios and ear defenders.
Facemasks:
NRA staff are advised not to wear facemasks as protection against the virus. Facemasks are recommended to be worn by symptomatic individuals to reduce the risk of transmitting the infection to other people.
What if a person with suspected COVID-19 has recently been to Bisley Camp:
For contacts with any suspected cases, no restrictions or special control measures are recommended while laboratory tests results for COVID-19 are awaited. In particular, there is no need to close the particular facility at this point. Most possible cases turn out to be negative. Until tests results are known there is no action currently recommended that the premises needs to take.
What to do if you or a visitor begin to feel unwell:
Check if you / they need urgent medical help – in which case call 999.
If non-urgent the person should be moved to an isolated area (we suggest a car) and then use the NHS 111 service that can tell you if you need medical help and advise you what to do.
Further details can be found https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Andrew Mercer
Secretary General, National Rifle Association
Chief Executive, National Shooting Centre
Published on:
Mar 13, 2020
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