Covid-19 Updated Guidance – 2nd June

2nd June, 2020 by Alistair Hollis

The Government confirmed yesterday (Monday 1^st June) that groups of six can now meet outside provided people from different households observe social distancing (staying at least 2m apart).

This is good news for bowls, as we are aware many of our clubs that have opened, or wished to reopen, felt the previous Government guidance on numbers was restrictive, a number observing that pairs in particular could be played safely in accordance with social distancing.

Whilst the Government guidance now enables triples play, clubs may also wish to consider alternative formats with reduced numbers per rink – for example singles and pairs – in order for social distancing to be more easily maintained.

We have updated our guidance and FAQ accordingly as attached and encourage all clubs who do wish to open to take time to look at how they can operate effectively and safely within the new limits, while strictly adhering to public health guidance around hygiene and social distancing.

The key changes in the latest guidance reflect:

• The increase in number of people permitted to participate together on a single rink;
• Provision for clubs to consider attendance by spectators;
• Provision for clubs to consider additional equipment;
• Increase in number of people that can receive coaching at any one time;

These changes are being reviewed by the committee and currently they have not been introduced as yet by the club

Message from Bowls England 23rd March
 
‘Stay home, stay safe, stop the spread’. 

That’s the message from Bowls England to its members and clubs in response to the latest Government guidance on the Coronavirus outbreak.

Bowls England last week announced the cancellation of all its domestic events ahead of the 2020 lawn bowls season including its National Championships, and now wishes to ensure that members and clubs play their part.

Tony Allcock OBE, Bowls England Chief Executive, said: “Understandably Bowls England has been inundated with enquiries from clubs and county associations regarding the Coronavirus outbreak. Within the past week we have made decisions regarding our events that would have been unimaginable only a month ago. However, from the enquiries we continue to receive there is clearly still some confusion within our membership as to whether they can continue to participate in the sport of lawn bowls at club level during this period.

“At this stage, we must urge our members to follow the Government’s latest guidance, which clearly asks every person within society to stay at home if at all possible to help to stop this disease from spreading – and this is an appeal to everyone, not just those aged over 70 or the 1.5 million of the most at-risk people who have been told that they should stay at home for 12 weeks.

“Again, we encourage our members to keep an eye out for everyone within the bowls community during this time, for example by maintaining contact and undertaking shopping for those who are isolated, with special thought for those members who may live on their own. A telephone call, e-mail or Skype to another member of the bowls community will, I am sure, be welcomed at this time. We are also in the process of producing a ‘Bowlers’ Workout’ in order to keep members fit and active during isolation and/or working from home, so we’re all ready to play when bowling resumes. We would also encourage members to support their club financially by continuing to pay their annual subscriptions in order that the clubs will be there for them when we are able to resume bowling.”

Bowls England will be providing support and advice to clubs and county associations over the coming weeks and working on a number of initiatives including club recruitment and a potential ‘Festival of Bowls’, which will be subject to Government guidance.

Swindon & District Bowling Association
Mens
Covid 19 coronavirus Statement 5th June
Your Club will have received the latest advice/guidance from Bowls England, issued this
week, on how best to proceed should you wish to open your Green. Having reviewed the situation I am contacting you to let you know that the S&D Committee feel that with the on-going restrictions regarding safe distancing it will not be realistic or safe to proceed with any league games this year. We have therefore taken the decision today to cancel completely the 2020 Afternoon and Evening Leagues.

Covid 19 coronavirus Statement 19th March

Firstly I would like to correct one item in the previous statement I issued. Reference to the cancellation of the Bowls England National Finals programme was in relation to the Indoor Competitions only. My apologies for any confusion caused. However Bowls England has since issued a statement now indicating that they have cancelled their entire domestic programme of events.

The Committee has continued to review the situation and has formulated the following plan of action for both the S&D Afternoon and Evening Leagues in the coming season.

We propose to cancel ALL league matches in the first half of the season. The season will now start at the end of June or early July with the reverse fixtures programme. Clubs will just play each other once and although this will mean that some clubs may play more away fixtures than home (or vice a versa) it will not necessitate the revision of Club Fixture Cards.

 Obviously further postponement or cancellation of the programme may be required as the situation develops but at least this way there is a chance to salvage some of the summer programme.

The Association Friendly Match programme will also have to be curtailed with the likelihood that most matches will be postponed or cancelled. I think it is safe to say that the matches scheduled for May and June will NOT take place at that time. Further details will follow in due course.

 We have also reluctantly decided to cancel the S&D Competitions this year. With the latest restrictions on unnecessary association many of our members will be excluded or feel unable to enter anyway thus making the competitions meaningless.

Individual Clubs must decide whether or not to proceed with their own Club Competitions and Friendly Matches.

The Committee will continue to monitor the situation and keep clubs informed