The Prime Minister made a statement on Sunday about the lifting of some limits on exercise and outdoor leisure activities from Wednesday 13 May in England. It should be noted that the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not altering their restrictions at this time.

The details behind the statement were published today (Monday 11 May). The contents of this more comprehensive report must be further assessed before making a statement on how and when it affects diving activities.

In collaboration with other key stakeholders, this assessment will also consider the potential impact on the supporting infrastructure of the diving industry at large.

We appreciate that the current situation is frustrating for you all at the moment, but please remember that “Lockdown” is not yet over and we must all still practice safe social distancing rules.

it is important that as a responsible diving organisation we manage the return to diving in a safe and controlled manner and consider the impact on all of those around. With this in mind we must yet again reiterate that the ban on diving, and insurance suspension still remains in force.

We will be participating in a meeting with the British Diving Safety Group (BDSG) this week, after which time we are hoping we will have more information to give to you.

In the meantime, thank you for your patience and support during these unprecedented times and please keep safe

Chris Jones, SAA Chair
Steve Orange, National Diving Officer

The post COVID 19 Update appeared first on Sub-Aqua Association.

The SAA Executive and Regional Reps send our warm greetings to you all and hope that you and your families are keeping safe and well.
We have had a number of enquiries from our members asking when we envisage a return to diving activities. Unfortunately, the answer to that question is not known at the present time.

The SAA in conjunction with the National Governing Body has been monitoring information being circulated concerning how the impact of COVID-19 will affect a return to diving following lockdown. Please click here  for  a COVID – 19 update from our National Diving Officer, Steve Orange.

It has been muted that lockdown may be eased in the next few weeks, however until we have clarity and crystal clear information as to what we can and can not do, the ban on diving, and insurance suspension will remain in force. If the situation changes we will advise you accordingly.

In the meantime we ask that you follow Government advice to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support during these unprecedented times. Together, we will overcome this and we will thrive once again.

If you have any further questions please send to admin@saa.org.uk

Chris Jones, SAA Chair

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We have negotiated with the SAA Insurers that the SAA insurance will be temporarily postponed until the Executive (taking account of all the circumstances regarding the Covid-19 virus and with legal advice), is in a position to lift the temporary diving ban.

Your SAA membership will therefore continue in all other respects during the temporary diving ban (including the opportunity to participate in a postal proxy vote for this year’s AGM – further details of which will follow shortly). Your SAA membership will also effectively be extended this year to cover the period of the diving ban. This will therefore ensure that no SAA member or member club will be penalised in any way or suffer any loss of their SAA insurance cover as a result of this diving ban.

The Executive will, of course, take all steps to lift the diving ban as soon as possible when it is safe to do so. Please be reassured that our primary concern is the wellbeing, health and safety of all of our members, the diving community and the general public.

We are all being asked to follow Government advice to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). which can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.

Thank you for your continued understanding and support during this extraordinary situation and we hope that all our members keep safe and well throughout this pandemic.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at Email: admin@saa.org.uk should you have any queries, or require any further information regarding any of the above.

Keep safe

Chris Jones

SAA Chair

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