COVID-19
Coronavirus, Updates

BTS Coronavirus Policy – Sep 2021 (Obsolete)

THIS POLICY IS OBSOLETE

See COVID-19 Protocol (March 2023) for current advice.

Preamble

Bowls Tasmania South (BTS) has developed this policy in response to concerns about the actions to be taken to stop the spread of Coronavirus whilst participating in lawn bowls activities in southern Tasmania.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is increasingly having an impact on the community and is a rapidly evolving issue.  The BTS Coronavirus Policy is intended to provide an overview of the currently available information from the Australian Federal Government, the Tasmanian Government, Bowls Australia and Bowls Tasmania related to the virus and what measures and precautions members of the Australian bowls community should and where stated must put in place.

This policy includes the measures BTS is actively taking to mitigate the spread of coronavirus.  Clubs and all persons playing in BTS Championship and Pennant competitions are required to follow all these rules diligently to sustain a healthy and safe lawn bowls environment.  It is important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these health precautions. This Policy is susceptible to changes with the introduction of additional governmental or Bowls Tasmania directions or guidelines.   If so, BTS will update the Policy as soon as possible and advise Clubs by email.

About Coronavirus

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses.   Some coronaviruses cause illness in humans and others cause illness in animals, such as bats, camels, and civets.   Human coronaviruses generally cause mild illness, such as the common cold.

Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve to infect and spread among humans, causing severe diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which emerged in 2002, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which emerged in 2012.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of coronavirus that is causing disease in humans and spreading from person-to-person.  The name of the disease is COVID-19.

Symptoms of Coronavirus include:

  • fever
  • coughing
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath

We can all help slow the spread of Coronavirus in Australia.   To protect others you must:

If you are sick and think you might have Coronavirus, get tested by calling the Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 (booking required).

General Hygiene Rules

The following actions should be taken by all players to protect themselves and their co-bowlers from a potential coronavirus infection.

  • Wash your hands after using the toilet, before eating, and if you cough/sneeze into your hands (follow the 20-second hand-washing rule). You can also use the sanitizers you’ll find around the club.
  • Cough/sneeze into your sleeve, preferably into your elbow. If you use a tissue, discard it properly and clean/sanitize your hands immediately.
  • Avoid touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose, and mouth with your hands to prevent from getting infected.
  • If you find yourself coughing/sneezing on a regular basis, avoid close physical contact with other bowlers.

If you are feeling unwell or showing any cold or flu like symptoms, then please stay home.

COVID Safe Plan

It is a mandatory requirement that all Clubs have a COVID Safe Plan in place before opening.

Social Distancing

Social Distancing requirements of 1.5 metres must be adhered to both on and off the green.  In addition a density level of two square metres must be complied with.

Spectators

Clubs are permitted to have a maximum of 1,000 players and spectators at their venues for OUTDOOR competition and 250 players and spectators in an undivided space for INDOOR competition.  This is provided that the 1.5 metre social distancing and the two square metre rules can be complied with.

On the Green

Hand sanitiser must be made available at the entrance to the Club and beside each green in use.  Disinfectant spray must be made available beside mat/jack boxes.  Any club bowls that are loaned to players are to be thoroughly cleaned before and after use.

Where possible, outdoor-accessible toilets should be open, if using an outdoor green.   At the very least, hand washing facilities should be available.

Water should be made available free-of-charge to players.  If a water dispenser is available for communal use, a fresh cup must be used for each use.  Users should not place their mouth on the spout of the fountain or allow their water bottle to come into contact with the nozzle when refilling.  Users should test the water flow and let the water flow for ten seconds to allow for fresh clean water to come through prior to drinking.   If the fountain requires users to push a button or lever, the surface should be cleaned before and after using disinfectant wet wipes.  Users should clean their hands afterwards with hand sanitizer or wash them with soap and water.

The 1.5 metre physical distancing rule is to be observed at all times, including for coaching.

It is recommended that there be no speeches before the commencement of play.  Side Captains should prepare score cards at least 30 minutes prior to the due commencement time and will inform teams of their rink number, who won the toss, the green speed (if timed), who the umpire is and whether or not they are having a break.  Players can move straight to their allocated rinks and commence play as soon as they are ready.

Players should practice safe hygiene at all times, including washing hands for at least 20 seconds before and after bowls.  Players should consider using elbow bumps instead of shaking hands.

Clubs with more than one team playing at home should consider staggering start times to ensure that appropriate social distancing can be maintained on the green and in particular in the clubrooms.    Clubs with two teams playing at home can start at 12 noon and 1.00pm (11.00am and 12 noon for Women’s Thursday Pennant).  Clubs with three or more teams playing at home can start at 12 noon, 1.00pm or 2.00pm.   Host Clubs that choose to adopt these measures must advise BTS prior to the commencement of the season which teams will be starting at other than the normal commencement time and at what times and can only change these times with approval by the BTS Match Committee.   Visiting sides must abide by the staggered starting time and have no right to object to such starting time.

In the Clubhouse

Clubs are permitted to have a maximum of 250 persons for an undivided space inside their Clubhouse provided that the 1.5 metre social distancing and the two square metre rules can be complied with.  Clubs should consider using their lounge and/or dining rooms to provide enough space to meet the required social distancing and 2 square metre rules.

Up to 100 Patrons attending an event in a Club can stand and mingle freely indoors, can dance and can drink alcohol inside the Club whilst standing.

Up to 250 Patrons will be permitted to dance or drink alcohol standing up in outdoor settings.  Therefore it is now possible for bowlers to have an alcoholic beverage at the end of their rink as an example or even seated at the side of the green.

Clubs should ensure they adhere to good hygiene practices in regard to the provision of morning tea and lunch.   Tea and coffee should not be available for communal use – it may only be served to a customer in a hospitality setting.

Clubs should consider staggering times for morning tea and lunch for pennant games where more than one match is being played at the Club.

Clubs will not be permitted to serve afternoon tea for Saturday and Wednesday Pennants during the compulsory 20 minute break.   The compulsory break may be shortened or not taken at all if both side captains agree.

Players who bring their own food for personal consumption shall be permitted to eat it.

Clubs are permitted to make food for sale to players provided that the food is made on the Club premises that appropriate hygiene practices are followed and all food must be individually wrapped for sale.

Individual plates of food that have been prepared on the Club premises can be served after the day’s play has been completed provided that appropriate hygiene practices are followed.   Shared platters and things like communal biscuits and dip should be avoided.

Clubs are permitted to continue to use their coffee machines.   If the coffee machine requires users to push a button or lever, the surface should be cleaned before and after using disinfectant wet wipes.   Individual sugar sachets should be made available for use.

Raffles are permitted.   It is recommended that only one person issues raffle tickets and collects the money.

Trade tables are permitted.   It is recommended that only one person is in charge of the trade table and handles the money.   Patrons should be requested not to touch the items.

Contact Details

Clubs are required to register with Check-In TAS and must display the Check-In TAS QR code at all entrances to the premises.

Patrons 16 years of age and older who attend a Club are required to provide their information for contract tracing using the free Check-In TAS app.

If anyone does not have or cannot use a smartphone or the Check-In TAS app, they may be checked in by another person in their group.   If no suitable device is available, their details may be recorded with pen and paper.

Patrons who enter a Club may be asked if they have checked in.   Clubs are permitted to refuse entry to patrons who have not checked-in and who does not provide the required information.

Players playing pennant will not be required to provide contact details as such information is available from the BTS Results Portal.

Source of Policy

The BTS Board has agreed to follow all Bowls Tasmania directives and recommendations in regard to Coronavirus.  In turn Bowls Tasmania is in regular contact with the Tasmanian Government’s Communities, Sport and Recreation.

The above directions and guidelines are in accordance with the Tasmanian Government’s Coronavirus Community Updates.  Refer also to Bowls Tasmania’s “Bowls Return to Play Stage 3” and Being COVIDSAFE for pennant documents as updated for specifics along with the Tasmanian Government Sport, Exercise and Recreation section of the Coronavirus Tasmania website https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/.

 

Approved by BTS Board

20 September 2021 (reviewed as required)