COVID-19
Coronavirus, Updates

COVID-19 – Advice to BA members

Latest bowls-specific advice from Bowls Australia

  • Relaxed COVID-19 restrictions on bowls confirmed (April 27, 2020)
    • These guidelines are currently effective for SA, WA and NT only, the current-known states and territories to have lifted restrictions allowing for some level of sport and recreation.
    • Bowls NSW/Women’s Bowls NSW interim guidelines.
    • NT-specific advice.
    • For all remaining states and territories (ACT, QLD, TAS & VIC), the guidelines below will only come into effect once any individual state legislation and/or restrictions are relaxed.

National and International events affected:

  • 2020 World Bowls Championships – POSTPONED INDEFINITELY
  • 2020 Australian Open – CANCELLED
  • 2020 Australian Indoor Championships – CANCELLED
  • 2020 World Singles Champion of Champions – CANCELLED
  • 2020 Nationals – PARTIALLY CANCELLED/POSTPONED

More information:

Support measures for clubs, employees & participants:

What is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus. Symptoms range from a mild cough to pneumonia. Some people recover easily, others may get very sick very quickly. There is evidence that it spreads from person to person. Good hygiene can prevent infection.

How unwell does COVID-19 make you?

COVID-19 results in a spectrum of illness ranging from possible asymptomatic carriage, common cold to severe cases requiring hospital admission. In a small minority of cases, COVID-19 can be fatal.

How contagious is COVID-19 and how does it spread?

Analysis of the number of cases from the Diamond Princess suggests that COVID-19 is more contagious than seasonal influenza.

This can change based on the circumstances the outbreak is occurring in and it is expected this will be refined over time as more is known.

The virus is transmitted primarily through respiratory droplets. There is ongoing research to determine if there are other possible modes of transmission such as faecal or through the air.

What is currently known about the clinical course of infection?

The estimated incubation period is between 1-14 days but is about five days on average. The incubation period is the time from when exposure to the virus occurs until symptoms start. Symptoms can persist for longer than three weeks, although the duration of illness will be highly variable.

How do I reduce my risk of getting COVID-19?

Hand hygiene remains the single best action individuals can take to reduce their risk of acquiring any respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection. While COVID-19 is a global concern the number of cases of influenza globally far outweighs the number of COVID-19 as reported on the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS). Annual influenza vaccination remains an important infection prevention measure.

You should be vigilant with frequent hand washing using soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Make sure you adhere to ‘illness etiquette’. If you are coughing and sneezing, do so away from people into a tissue, your elbow or hands. If you cough or sneeze into your hands, make sure you wash your hands afterwards. Seek medical review early if you are feeling unwell.

Who is most at risk?

In Australia, the people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have:

  • recently been in in a high-risk country or region (mainland China, Iran, Italy or Korea)
  • been in close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19

Based on what we know about coronaviruses, those most at risk of serious infection are:

  • people with compromised immune systems (such as people who have cancer)
  • elderly people
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (as they have higher rates of chronic illness)
  • people with chronic medical conditions
  • people in group residential settings
  • people in detention facilities

Protect others and stop the spread

We can all help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia.

To protect others you must:


Keep up to date with developments

Download the COVIDSafe App

COVIDSafe app icon

Coronavirus Health Information Line

Call this line if you are seeking information on coronavirus (COVID-19). The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.