On 12 October the Prime Minister announced a new system of COVID-19 restrictions to replace the existing local lockdown measures in individual areas.

Under the new scheme, local areas will be placed in one of three tiers; Tier 1 (Medium), Tier 2 (High) and Tier 3 (Very High).

Tier 1 areas are subject to the existing national restriction measures such as the ‘rule of six’.

Those areas within Tier 2 see additional restrictions, such as a ban on households mixing indoors.

In Tier 3 areas, indoor gyms, fitness and dance studios and indoor sports facilities are required to close by law.

However, an exemption applies which allows these venues to be used by under 18s and people with a disability. Within each of these tiers, organised outdoor sporting activity can continue and remains exempt from restrictions on the number of people allowed to gather, subject to this taking place under approved guidance.

Detailed guidance on what you can do in each of these tiers is available here:

• Tier 1
• Tier 2
• Tier 3

The government has also published a postcode checker to find out which tier your local area is in.

The new system has implications for orienteering and we have updated our Return to Orienteering Guidance.

Anyone organising or taking part in an orienteering event or activity must ensure that they are aware of the local COVID alert level both in their home area and at the intended venue for their activity, and act in line with the restrictions which apply.

British Orienteering has created a matrix of activities to show which orienteering activities are permitted at each alert level, subject to landowner permission.

British Schools Orienteering Association (BSOA) have decided that in view of the pandemic along with Government Guidance on school trips abroad that BSOA is not currently looking to send a delegation to World Schools Championships in Orienteering 2021.

Manchester and District Orienteering Club (MDOC) has launched 'Get Out & Go', a series of four new films targeted at novices and newcomers, thanks to a grant from Sport England.  Filmed in urban parks during Summer 2020, the short videos show beginners all the basics of orienteering, from the special way maps and courses are drawn, though a range of useful skills and techniques, to simple route choice, planning ahead and reading the map on the run.

With Covid 19 restricting many sports, activities and travel, this is an ideal time to promote orienteering in local parks and urban spaces.  Permanent Orienteering Courses (POCs) already provide a great resource and with these self-help coaching films, they can be used more fully, not only to introduce new audiences to orienteering but also to help them make progress by learning new skills and practising techniques.  By following this series and making use of POCs, beginners will develop both the confidence and experience to try tackling a course at a club event.

Day 1 of the World Games in Wroclaw, Poland and Ralph Street was top Brit taking seventh place in the sprint race. It was incredibly close for the placings around Ralph with 0.4 separating 5th to 8th. Ralph was delighted finishing in his highest position ever in a senior international sprint race.

Peter Hodkinson finished in a very creditable 12th place.

Peter said after the race: "I'm quite happy with my race. I pushed hard from the start, which set me up well for the race although it did hurt a lot at the end! I made one mistake, taking the wrong alley in the main square, which I think cost me a top 10 position, but I'm pleased with a good result nonetheless. I think I've made good progress this year and would certainly have taken 13th at WOC and 12th at World Games if I'd been offered them at the start of the year. I'm confident I can get a top 10 next year."