Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Group Advice
In light of the ongoing messages from Government about the vital importance of social-distancing as part of the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19), IAM RoadSmart’s Senior Management Team has today (23 March) updated its advice and guidance for groups, observers and examiners.
There has been clear and firm guidance from the government in recent days that travel should be limited to essential journeys only.
The priority must be for IAM RoadSmart and all our groups to contribute fully to efforts to minimise the spread of the virus nationwide and maintain the health and safety of all staff, members, associates, examiners and customers.
Therefore with immediate effect, groups are required to:
• Stop all observed runs for associates, both in cars and on motorcycles
• Stop all meetings and social gatherings, including AGMs, ride-outs and recruitment activity
Should you continue to carry out observed drives/rides this may have consequences as far as insurance coverage is concerned.
Advanced driving and riding tests and assessments remain suspended until further notice as are all re-qualifications for Local Observer Assessors, National Observers, Fellows and Masters.
Where associates’ membership expires, we will extend their membership, at no additional cost, for up to a further six months to enable all associates to complete their coaching and take their test without disadvantage. Each associate should contact our Customer Care team by emailing support@iam.org.uk or calling 0300 303 1134 only when they have received their membership renewal notice.
Groups are required to hold an AGM once every calendar year and within 18 months of the previous AGM. You may wish to consider holding your AGM via video or phone conference call. Proxy and postal voting can also still take place and be used for resolutions.
Additional advice on AGMs is available at gov.uk and from the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland and the Scottish Charity Regulator.
IAM RoadSmart staff continue to work from home wherever possible, in line with current government advice and the Senior Management Team continues to meet daily, by conference call.
Our ASDMs are available by phone and email. Please contact them if you have any questions.
All groups are advised to continue to monitor and follow the Government advice, which you can find on gov.uk and NHS Direct, and on Public Health England, Health Protection Scotland, the Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland and Public Health Wales.
We thank you for your co-operation in these unprecedented times and we will continue to update you regularly, through Inform, as the situation and government advice develops.
