UPDATED – Tier 3 Advice

David KitchinerNews

Following a meeting today of Essex clubs with representatives of England Hockey to clarify Monday’s government announcement that, with effect from Wednesday, 16th December, Chelmsford will move to Tier 3 of Covid-19 restrictions, we are pleased to announce that the advice to participants is not quite as restrictive as previously announced.

Participants who live within any of the Essex Tier 3 local authority areas listed on the official government web page (link here) can, for the time being, and subject to COVID-19 travel guidelines, travel freely within these local authority areas for hockey activities. In effect, the Essex local authority areas listed are viewed as a single Tier 3 area. This means that the recently announced changes to Chelmsford HC hockey activities for the foreseeable future have been updated:

Adult Training
While club training sessions can still take place, only players who live within the following Essex local authority areas (correct as at 17th December) may participate:

  • Basildon
  • Braintree
  • Brentwood
  • Castle Point
  • Chelmsford
  • Epping Forest
  • Harlow
  • Maldon
  • Rochford
  • Southend-on-Sea
  • Thurrock

We ask all members to please respect this restriction for the safety of everybody.  If you are unsure whether you live within one of these Essex local authority areas please check before attending training.

Weekend Matches
All four fixtures scheduled on Saturday, 19th December have been postponed.  The updated guidance means that fixtures in the New Year may proceed, with the agreement of both clubs and umpires, but only within the Essex local authority areas listed above. As per England Hockey guidelines, players may only travel within their Tier 3 area to reach their club or to play matches within the same Tier 3 area, so travel to other Tier 3 areas, such as London, is not permitted.

Ad hoc Activities
Ad hoc hockey activities, such as intra-club matches, Rush Hockey, etc., may take place as long as they follow COVID-19 guidelines.  Regrettably, players who live outside the Essex local authority areas listed above are not permitted to participate.  Again, we request all members to please respect this restriction. 

Junior Hockey
Junior hockey is exempt from these restrictions and may continue as normal, albeit following the usual COVID-19 advice.  Travel across Tiers, to Tier 1/2 or other Tier 3 areas, for junior hockey is permitted as long as safer travel guidance is followed.  Volunteers supporting junior hockey can also travel.  Please check with your respective squad manager/coach for specific match/session details.