Summer camps are warning they have received “absolutely no guidance” on operating during COVID-19.

Phase Four of the roadmap for reopening allows for the return of contact sports like football and GAA – and many camp operators expect to be allowed to open then.

On Lunchtime Live this afternoon however, Eileen Sheehy, Director of Let’s Go! Summercamps said operators are still waiting to hear what is going to happen.

    

“We are waiting for the go-ahead and, I suppose, we are waiting for clarity on certain issues as well,” she said.

“You look at the road-map and sport is back in Phase Four and you could say OK we can do summer camps then – but indoor sport is not back and, being realistic, if you are running a summer camp […] you can’t keep children out in the sunshine all day long.

“Equally with our Irish summers, you could have an inclement week of weather.”

She said summer camps need to know if it's safe to bring children indoors “for a very short period of time to do a passive activity” before returning outside.

She said there is no doubt that her camp will be “very different” this year – but warned she has had “absolutely no guidance” from officials on what to expect.

She said it is possible to build two-metre social distancing into the structure of the camp; however, operators need to know what games will be allowed.

“You take your mini game of three v three and again you would think that would be quite safe if you are outdoors,” she said.

“But there are going to be times when children are going to get closer and there is going to be a very small amount of contact. We need clarity to say that is OK.”

You can listen back to her interview with Ciara Kelly here: