Q – Can you clarify local authorities sit within the 5 NHS Board areas where the strictest restrictions are now in force?

A – The further restrictions announced by the First Minister on Wednesday 7th October focused on NHS Health Board areas as opposed to local authority areas. This can be confusing as we’re often used to working within local authority structures.

There are 18 local authorities affected by the restrictions that were applied to the 5 specific NHS Board areas by the First Minister on 7th October. They are as follows;

NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (6)
West Dunbartonshire
East Dumbartonshire
East Renfrewshire
Renfrewshire
Glasgow City
Inverclyde

NHS Lanarkshire (2)
North Lanarkshire
South Lanarkshire

NHS Ayrshire & Arran (3)
East Ayrshire
North Ayrshire
South Ayrshire

NHS Lothian (4)
City of Edinburgh
East Lothian
Midlothian
West Lothian

NHS Forth Valley (3)
Clackmannanshire
Stirling
Falkirk

Q – When do the restrictions apply to?

A – The restrictions begin on Saturday 10th October and will remain in place until midnight on Sunday 25th October.

Q –  Do these restrictions affect my league or Affiliate National Association?

A – The exemptions to this guidance are clubs within the following leagues and ANA’s:

  • SPFL
  • Lowland and Highland League
  • West, East and South of Scotland Leagues
  • North Caledonian League
  • SJFA Leagues
  • Scottish Women Premier Leagues 1 & 2

For the avoidance of doubt this means that the following ANA’s are affected:

  • SAFA
  • SWFA
  • SWF out with Premier League 1 & 2
  • SYFA
  • SSFA
  • PARA Football

Q – I am under 18 and live in the same high risk health board area as my club. Can I continue to play?

A – Yes you can, but only within that high risk health board area and not beyond.

Q – I live in a high risk health board area but my club is located in a different high risk health board area, can I travel there to train and play?

A – No, if you live in a high risk health board area, you cannot travel out with that boundary to play football, regardless of your age.

Q – I am under 18 and do not live in a high risk health board area. Where can I travel to train and play?

A – You are free to travel to any other non-high risk health board area. You cannot travel into high risk areas to play football regardless of your age.

Q – I’m a club official located in a high risk health board area. Who can I arrange matches against?

A – Only against clubs located within the same high risk health board area and only for Under 18 activity.

Clubs cannot arrange games and matches out with the high risk health board area in which they are located.

Q – I am 18 years+ and understand I can’t play contact sports/football at the moment. However, can I train? 

A – We are promoting people remaining physically active throughout this period.

However, please remember:

  • Do not gather in groups
  • No coach led sessions
  • Please remember hygiene measures should be adhered to all times
  • and of course, any activity must be non-contact.

Q – I have players who reside in one high risk health board area, but the club is located in a different area. Can players travel between these areas to train and play?

A – No, travel from high risk areas to any other area, high risk or otherwise at this stage following Scottish Government guidelines to play football is not permitted.

Q – I live in a high risk health board area, can I play 5’s with my friends?

A – No, all contact sport, indoors and outdoors has been suspended within these areas.