COVID-19 Guidelines for Teachers
Useful Links
Uday and Sonali Bhosale’s guide to teaching online
Insurance conditions for teaching online – See Online teaching section of Documents on Members’ Dashboard
IY(UK) guidance for returning to face to face teaching
Guidance & support from Sport England
Updated guidance 18th July 2021
England
Most restrictions will be lifted on Monday 19th July. However you must continue to keep a record of who attended classes, and anyone with symptoms of Covid should self-isolate and not attend class.
You may wish to complete a new risk assessment (guidance and template available at HSE https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/risk-assessment-template-and-examples.htm). Please also look at both national guidance (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#england-has-moved-to-step-4) and any additional local guidance for your area and consider whether you need to take extra measures.
We advise caution, and talking to your students to find out what they are comfortable with. Physical adjustments are allowed, with the consent of the student – but please do exercise discretion, just because you can does not mean you have to.
Please continue with good ventilation and thorough cleaning.
Wales
Social distancing requirements remain in place; you must have completed a risk assessment (guidance and template available at https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/risk-assessment-template-and-examples.htm).
More information can be found at: https://gov.wales/restrictions-17-july-frequently-asked-questions#section-71889
Scotland
All areas are at Level 0, meaning that all organised sports and exercise activities for all age groups are permitted, provided appropriate safety measures are followed. For indoors classes, participants should be at least 1m away from each other; meaning you should continue to avoid physical adjustments.
More information can be found at: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/pages/protection-level-0/ and https://yogascotland.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/
Northern Ireland
Social distancing requirements remain in place; you must have completed a risk assessment if there are more than 15 in the class (including you) (guidance and template available at https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/risk-assessment-template-and-examples.htm). You may be asked to provide a copy of this and/or an account of the measures you have taken to address these risks.
More information can be found at: https://www.cimspa.co.uk/cimspa-news/news-home/covid-19-restrictions-in-northern-ireland—faqs and https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-and-guidance-what-they-mean-you#toc-12
Ireland
As of 19th July, there are no changes – indoor classes are not permitted.
More information can be found at: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/covid19/living_with_covid19_plan.html
Updated guidance 10th May 2021
Please note: In all cases, the relevant social distancing rules must be followed.
England
Indoor classes for adults: Can resume Monday 17th May, provided the organiser takes reasonable steps to reduce the risk of transmission. This means social distancing still applies in classes, and good ventilation and regular cleaning are required.
Wales
Indoor classes are permitted for up to 15 participants.
More information can be found at: https://gov.wales/sport-recreation-and-leisure-guidance-phased-return-html
Scotland
It is expected that all areas will move to Level 2 on 17th May (to be confirmed). If this happens, indoor classes will be able to resume (with no adjustments and 2 metres between mats) in Level 2 areas.
In addition, in both Level 2 and Level 3 areas: Children’s classes indoors are allowed. Outdoor classes (children/adults) are allowed, with up to 30 participants (including the teacher). One-to-one teaching allowed outdoors or indoors, including in homes
More information can be found at: https://sportscotland.org.uk/covid-19/latest-sport-and-physical-activity-guidance/
Northern Ireland
Organised outdoor classes may have up to 15 participants (and one-to-one teaching outdoors is allowed). One-to-one teaching, with social distancing, is allowed in a studio (but not in a private home). The earliest date that indoor classes will be able to resume is 24th May (to be confirmed).
N.B. Please note the wording, which is more restrictive than in England/Scotland: …structured outdoor sports training, through clubs or individuals affiliated to recognised sports governing bodies or representative organisations for sport and physical activity. N.B. IY(UK) is not the governing body of yoga in the UK so you should check locally whether this is something you can do
More information can be found at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you#toc-16
Ireland
Organised outdoor classes may have up to 15 participants.
It is hoped that gyms will be able to re-open from 7th June (to be confirmed) but unclear whether this will mean that classes can resume.
More information can be found at: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/covid19/living_with_covid19_plan.html
Updated guidance from 12th April 2021
Please note: In all cases, the relevant social distancing rules must be followed.
England
Indoor classes for adults: The earliest date these can resume will be 17th May (to be confirmed)
Indoor classes for children: Classes organised by a qualified teacher are allowed. Please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/protective-measures-for-holiday-or-after-school-clubs-and-other-out-of-school-settings-for-children-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/protective-measures-for-out-of-school-settings-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
Outdoor classes: Classes organised by a qualified teacher can have any number of participants; informal/drop-in sessions are limited to 6 participants
One-to-one sessions: Personal training is permitted outdoors; or indoors in business premises only, not in your / your student’s home
Therapy: Where yoga is classed as therapeutic (confirmed by a letter from a health professional), teaching may take place indoors in a studio. If the client is unable to travel (confirmed by letter from health professional), the yoga teacher (therapist) may visit the client’s home. N.B. For IY(UK) teachers, this applies only to Therapy teachers, with the agreement of the Therapy committee. Good practice such as social distancing, wearing masks, handwashing etc. should be followed at all times
More information can be found at: https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/coronavirus/return-play/frequently-asked-questions-national-coronavirus?section=step_2_-_from_12_april
Wales
Indoor classes are not permitted currently
The current anticipated date for gyms to open is 3rd May, at which point one-to-one sessions indoors may be able to resume (to be confirmed); however it seems unlikely that indoor classes will be allowed to resume at the same time
It is planned that from 26th April, outdoor organised activities such as yoga classes will be able to resume; this is to be confirmed. One-to-one teaching is allowed outdoors
More information can be found at: https://www.sport.wales/media-centre/latest-news/taking-part-in-sport-and-exercise-in-wales-the-guidance/
Scotland
Indoor classes for adults: The earliest date these can resume will be 17th May (to be confirmed)
Level 4 areas: Children’s classes indoors are not permitted. Outdoor classes (children/adults) are allowed, with up to 15 participants (including the teacher). One-to-one allowed outdoors only (not indoors)
Level 3 areas: Children’s classes indoors are allowed. Outdoor classes (children/adults) are allowed, with up to 30 participants (including the teacher). One-to-one teaching allowed outdoors or indoors, including in homes
More information can be found at: https://sportscotland.org.uk/covid-19/latest-sport-and-physical-activity-guidance/
Northern Ireland
Organised outdoor classes may have up to 15 participants (and one-to-one teaching outdoors is allowed). No indoor classes or one-to-one teaching allowed
N.B. Please note the wording, which is more restrictive than in England/Scotland: …structured outdoor sports training, through clubs or individuals affiliated to recognised sports governing bodies or representative organisations for sport and physical activity. N.B. IY(UK) is not the governing body of yoga in the UK so you should check locally whether this is something you can do
More information can be found at: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-regulations-guidance-what-restrictions-mean-you#toc-16
Ireland
No classes, outdoors or indoors
More information can be found at: https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/covid19/living_with_covid19_plan.html
Update 23rd February 2021
England
No yoga classes indoors; no group classes outdoors.
The earliest that indoor classes can take place will be 17th May. While gyms will be able to re-open for solo training sooner, indoor classes will not be allowed at the same time.
Currently, personal training is permitted outdoors for a 1:1 session, provided the student/client stays local to home. It is anticipated that outdoor classes with up to 6 participants can resume from 29th March.
https://www.cimspa.co.uk/cimspa-news/news-home/uk-lockdown-guidance-06-jan-2021
Wales
Gyms remain closed, until further notice – meaning no yoga classes are permitted.
1:1 tuition: Exercise is allowed in a public outdoor space with people from up to one other household. For students, exercise must start and finish from their home – they may not travel to attend 1:1 training/tuition.
Scotland
No yoga classes indoors; no group classes outdoors.
However, a maximum of 2 people from 2 separate households can meet outdoors for sport or exercise, so 1:1 personal training (including yoga teaching) can take place.
https://yogascotland.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/
The earliest that gyms can re-open will be 26th April; it is as yet unclear whether this will be for solo training only, or whether classes will be able to resume at that time.
Northern Ireland
No yoga classes, group or 1:1, indoors or outdoors, permitted until at least 1st April.
Republic of Ireland
No yoga classes, group or 1:1, indoors or outdoors, permitted until at least 5th March.
Update 25 November
UK and Republic of Ireland: All yoga teachers should be following government guidelines, otherwise their insurance will be invalid. You should not be visiting others’ homes, and they should not be visiting yours, either for classes or one-to-one teaching.
While teachers who have Therapy status, whose student has had a direct referral from a health professional such as a GP, may teach one-to-one (provided all necessary precautions and preparations are taken), we recommend that one-to-one therapy sessions should not go ahead at this time.
ENGLAND
Until 2 December, indoor yoga classes are not permitted, including 1:1 teaching.
From 2 December, England will be placed under a tier system. To find out what tier your area is in, please click on the link: https://www.gov.uk/find-coronavirus-local-restrictions
- Tier 1: Exercise classes, including yoga classes, can take place indoors provided that the rule of six is followed (i.e. students/teacher do not socialise in a group of more than six before, during or after the class).
- Tier 2: Exercise classes, including yoga classes, can continue to take place indoors only if it is possible for those attending to avoid mixing with those they do not live with (or share a support bubble with) – i.e. no socialising at all before, during or after the class. Students interact with the teacher for the purpose of the class only.
- Tier 3: No exercise classes, including yoga classes (unless everyone attending is from the same household or bubble)
In Tier 1 and Tier 2 areas, indoor classes can take place and are not limited to members of the same household; however, this is conditional on them not mixing with others from other households, they must stay separate from other participants. If separate groups are likely to mix, these indoor activities should not go ahead.
In all cases, social distancing measures should be followed and the venue should have adequate ventilation for the number of people in the building.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan
SCOTLAND
To find out what tier your area is in please click on the link: https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-protection-levels/
- Level 0, Level 1, Level 2: Indoor yoga classes allowed.
- Level 3, Level 4: No indoor yoga classes (outdoor classes are allowed).
https://www.gov.scot/publications/covid-19-scotlands-strategic-framework/pages/9/
WALES
Indoor yoga classes can take place with a maximum of 15 people. Classes conducted outdoors can include up to 30 people.
Gyms, leisure centres and facilities, studios etc. are permitted to open providing they meet the requirements (link above). You must collect contact information from students for track and trace purposes.
Teachers, staff and students should wear masks when moving around the space, before and after classes. Masks do not need to be worn while carrying out the class activity.
Visiting another person’s house is not permitted, so you cannot teach 1:1 in someone’s home (including your own).
NORTHERN IRELAND
From 27 November for at least 2 weeks, fitness, exercise and dance classes indoors (including yoga classes) are not allowed.
Outdoor classes of up to 15 people can continue providing the space has been deemed Covid-secure and social distancing measures adhered to.
Personal 1-1 training is permitted, but social distancing must be followed.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Ireland is in Level 5 lockdown, meaning no yoga classes allowed.
Update 2 November
ENGLAND
No indoor classes from November 5th to at least November 30th.
WALES
No indoor classes from October 23rd to at least November 9th.
SCOTLAND
As at 29th October, the following regions are restricted to these levels: (29th October 2020)
Level 3 meaning no adult indoor group exercise (including yoga) – Glasgow City, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, West Dunbartonshire, East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, City of Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian, West Lothian, Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Stirling, Dundee.
Level 2 meaning non-contact exercise classes are allowed – Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Argyll & Bute, Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Fife, Perth & Kinross.
Level 1 meaning non-contact exercise classes are allowed – Highland, Moray, Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles.
NORTHERN IRELAND
No indoor exercise classes from October 16th for at least 4 weeks.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
No exercise classes until at least December 1st.
Update 19 October
WALES
No indoor classes from October 23rd to at least November 9th.
Update 16 October
Please be aware that we cannot give you any specific advice about your classes – each area has different rules, and each venue is different. We can provide guidance but you will need to evaluate each of your classes and decide what is appropriate for that class.
Your local authority will have a dedicated page to tell you what restrictions apply in your area – search for your council name plus “covid 19” to find it.
You should carry out a risk assessment for each venue where you teach to ensure you have identified the risks and are taking measures to mitigate them.
ENGLAND
You can find out what you can and can’t do in your area using this postcode search.
This is a helpful guide to explain what we can, and can’t, do in each tier: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/15/tier-1-2-or-3-englands-three-stage-covid-lockdown-rules-explained
- Tier 1: Exercise classes, including yoga classes, can continue to take place indoors provided that the rule of six is followed (i.e. students/teacher do not socialise in a group of more than six before, during or after the class).
- Tier 2 and 3: Exercise classes, including yoga classes, can continue to take place indoors only if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with those they do not live with (or share a support bubble with) – i.e. no socialising at all before, during or after the class.
- However additional local restrictions may apply; in Merseyside and the Wirral, gyms and fitness studios have been told to close – meaning no indoor exercise or yoga classes if you are in one of these areas. There is an exception for children’s classes, and for classes for people with disabilities.
Note on the rule of six: This applies to socialising, not to exercise classes. Indoor exercise and yoga classes can continue to take place with larger numbers present, provided that participants are in separate and distinct groups of up to six people (or larger discrete groups from the same household or support bubble) which do not mix with other groups. If separate groups are likely to mix, these indoor activities should not go ahead.
In all cases, social distancing measures should be followed.
WALES
Exercise and yoga classes can continue with up to 30 people, provided social distancing is followed.
SCOTLAND
Exercise and yoga classes can continue in some parts of the country, provided social distancing is followed; but not in the Central Belt (Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire & Arran, Lothian, Forth Valley). This is from October 9th until at least October 26th.
NORTHERN IRELAND
No indoor exercise classes from October 16th for at least 4 weeks.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
No indoor exercise classes until at least October 27th.
Update 28 September
Dear Teachers,
If you own or manage a yoga studio, please read the attached link on creating a QR code to allow the NHS Track & Trace app to track people attending your classes. This is now a legal requirement for anyone who manages a venue.
If you teach somewhere else, other than your own yoga studio, responsibility for this lies with the operator of the venue – so if you hire a village hall, or teach in someone else’s studio, this is their responsibility not yours. CIMSPA has more details, please see this link. I know that this will be most of you, so most of you will not need to do anything other than be aware that the venues where you teach should provide a QR code poster for you and your students to use.
It is important to note that it is not mandatory for students to use the QR code, so you must continue to keep a record of contact details for attendees who do not use it (including their name; telephone number; date/time of arrival and departure) for 21 days. You must keep these in line with GDPR regulations (i.e. store them securely; and tell students that you will be keeping this information about them). Please see this link for more information.
Please note: this is only the case for England, but we have sent to teachers in Scotland and Wales as well in case you are close to the border and teach in England.
England: https://www.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster
Wales: https://gov.wales/nhs-covid-19-app
Update 24 September
Dear Teachers,
Tuesday’s announcement on new coronavirus measures in England included the removal of indoor team sports from the list of activities excluded from the “rule of 6”. However, gyms and exercise classes remain on the exemptions list – meaning that yoga classes can continue to carry on with more than 6 people attending, providing that:
- You are following government guidance around keeping yourself and students safe (for example, through social distancing, not sharing equipment, regular cleaning etc.)
- The students in your class either do not socialise with each other before/after (or during) class; or socialise within groups of no more than 6, and not move from one group of 6 to another. More than 6 people can be in the room for the purpose of an exercise class, as long as they are not “mingling” with each other
Face masks: The World Health Organisation has advised against wearing a mask while exercising.
It is advised (and in Wales, required) that in public buildings, we wear masks when moving around the building (though these can be removed in the class itself). You can find guidance for England, with links to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, here.
Risk assessments: Government guidance is that if you are self-employed, you do not need a written risk assessment, but you should consider the risks and what actions you need to take to address these. The Health & Safety Executive has provided guidance around risk assessments, including a template if you wish to use this.
Links:
Providers of grassroots sport and gym/leisure facilities in England, with links for Wales, Scotland & Northern Ireland
Republic of Ireland updates
Update 16 June
Dear Teachers,
A number of you have asked for guidance from IY(UK) on returning to face-to-face teaching, and/or re-opening studios, after lockdown eases.
We cannot predict what will happen but have produced a guidance document (linked here) based on what we do know, and what we expect based on government guidance and media coverage. There is also a list of links to other useful sources.
Update 27 March
Dear Teachers
Uday and Sonali Bhosale kindly organised a call for teachers earlier this week to explain how to use the Zoom platform to run classes online. We have put together some notes from the call, which include tips and answers to some of the questions raised, and hope you will these useful: Uday and Sonali Bhosale’s guide to teaching online
It may be nerve-wracking teaching online for the first time, but giving people access to yoga at this time could be invaluable. As a teacher on the call said, “I’d like to encourage everyone to just try it out and don’t worry about being perfect…I think our students are very open and don’t expect something perfect.”
If you have any feedback, questions or would like to offer your own tips for other teachers, please email me and we’ll make updates to this Guide to help us all learn together.
