The latest COVID regulation guidance
Introduction and the NCMD’s role
With the ever changing rules around COVID in all 4 countries of the UK, we think it’s important to give you a guide to the latest legislation and advice for our hobby.
As things change, you can keep up to date with the latest information on the news section of our website, our Facebook group or at The Detecting Hub.
We recognise that some of these rules do not always make sense for our hobby but they are set to cover a wide range of activities. Remember, the NCMD does not write the rules and regulations; our role is to provide advice and guidance on how these regulations affect our hobby so you can stay safe. We do not police the government’s regulations. People wishing to report breaches of the regulations should contact the police via the 101 telephone number.
Northern Ireland: Valid from 27th Nov to 10th Dec 2020…
General guidance: You may detect locally on your own or with an unlimited number of people from your household or support bubble. Alternatively, up to 15 people can meet outdoors, but you should maintain social distancing by being at least two metres apart, as well as good hand and respiratory hygiene practices. You should only detect locally, avoiding all unnecessary travel.
Group digs: You may not organise, operate or participate in an indoor or outdoor gathering which consists of more than 15 people.
Further guidance for Northern Ireland
We recommend reading this article on the NI Direct website »
England: Valid from 2nd Dec…
General guidance: You can detect alone or with members of your household and support bubble in all tiers (T1, T2 and T3) and on all types of land where you have permission. For detecting with others we are now back to the Rule of Six. This applies both indoors and outdoors in T1, outdoors only in T2, and in T3 only in ‘outdoor public spaces’. There are presently no limits on the time that can be spent on outdoor recreation.
TIER 1: MEDIUM ALERT
Maximum of 6 people indoors or outdoors, other than single households or support bubbles.
TIER 2: HIGH ALERT
No mixing of households indoors, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of 6 people outdoors.
TIER 3: VERY HIGH ALERT
No mixing of households indoors, or most outdoor places, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of 6 people in some outdoor public spaces (e.g. parks, sports courts or public gardens).
Club digs: Club digs can restart in T1 and T2 following the ‘Rule of 6’ as long as appropriate risk assessments are in place and followed. Participants and organisers still need to ensure social distancing is maintained at all times to minimise the risk of infection.
In T3 only digs in ‘public outdoor spaces’, such as beaches and parks (with permission), are allowed.
To comply with the travel guidance in the Government’s Winter Plan, organisers will need to ensure any planned digs which could result in participants seeking to enter or leave T3 areas do not take place. Car sharing is not permitted in all tiers.
Businesses organising events have their own rules and should not take place in T3.
Further guidance for England
(1) Dept. for Culture, Media and Sport’s guidance for metal detecting during the pandemic »
(2) The Winter Plan »
(3) Finding out more about tiers »
Scotland…
General detecting: There is a 5-level system of local measures is now in place in Scotland. You can carry out metal detecting at all local protection levels (LPL). You can meet with others outside your household, but the numbers vary depending on which LPL you live in. The maximum number of people who can meet outdoors is:
LPL0: 15 people from up to 5 separate households.
LPL1: 8 people from up to 3 separate households.
LPL 2, 3 & 4: 6 people from up to 2 separate households.
This excludes children under 12. For more information please see further guidance below.
Travelling to detect into or out of Level 3 and 4 local authority areas is not allowed.
Organised digs: Metal detecting clubs can organise events provided the number of attendees is limited to 30 and organisers ensure that a risk assessment is carried out, and everyone adheres to social distancing and hygiene requirements.
Further guidance for Scotland
(1) The local protection levels »
(2) What you can and can’t do in each local protection level »
Wales…
General detecting: A maximum of 4 people from different households are allowed to meet to detect (not including any children under 11). There is no limit on the number of people from the same household or extended household able to spend time outdoors together to detect. You can detect wherever you have permission within Wales but cannot travel outside Wales (or from another country into Wales) to detect.
Group digs and organised activities: Businesses and clubs may organise an activity, including metal detecting. A maximum of 30 people are able to participate in organised activities if they are outdoors. This number limit does not include any children under 11, or the event organiser(s) and anyone working or volunteering to facilitate the activity. These are maximum numbers and not targets.
During these activities, people can gather from a mix of households only where there is sufficient space to undertake the activity as safely as possible. The organisers are responsible to undertake a risk assessment and to ensure measures are in place to prevent infection and the spread of coronavirus.
Further guidance for Wales
Rules for meeting outside in Wales »
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