COVID-19
Coronavirus, Updates

COVID-19 Protocol – March 2023

October 2023: As Tasmania’s COVID risk level has moved down to LOW, the BTS Board has reconfirmed this protocol for the coming season.  The ongoing situation will be monitored throughout the season.

June 2023:  The COVID Risk Level is now MODERATE.  The BTS COVID-19 protocol will be updated closer to the start of the 2023-24 season based on the situation at that time.  During this quiet off-season, follow the guidelines for the Current risk level provided by health.tas.gov.au.

This advice is current and supersedes all previously published and/or distributed advice.

Preamble

As Tasmania’s COVID risk level has moved down to LOW, and the community has adapted to living with COVID in the 15 months since borders re-opened, the BTS Board felt it prudent to outline the BTS position regarding symptomatic and COVID positive players.

Health guidelines

The BTS Board recommends the following health guidelines be adopted by clubs and their members.  Clubs are expected to promote good practice.  Protection of the health of other bowlers, who are predominately older and more likely to be in health risk categories, is paramount.

Bowlers should…

  • be up to date with their vaccinations,
  • stay home if they have any cold or flu-like symptoms (no matter how mild),
  • test and register if COVID-positive, and
  • stay at home until symptoms have resolved.

Clubs should…

  • support wearing face masks in crowded indoor spaces, and if members/bowlers have risk of severe illness.
  • maintain the additional measures including health reminders and supporting mask wearing for staff, members and bowlers.
  • be aware of bowlers with cold and flu like symptoms and (acting kindly and supportively) ask the unwell person to wear a face mask, leave the venue and safely go home.

Playing with a COVID-positive player

Health regulations have been wound back to the degree that a COVID-positive person with symptoms can leave their home and move through the community.

If a bowler with cold and flu symptoms elects to continue playing bowls rather than leave the venue and/or match, precautions should be taken by individuals, the Clubs and the Side Managers.

The host club must:

  • Offer disposable face masks to the players alongside the affected bowler.
  • Provide hand sanitiser at both ends of the rink/green during the match.
  • Sanitise mats and jack after the game.
  • Arrange for after-game refreshments to be taken outdoors, with social distancing applied.

Side Managers must:

  • Notify the team-mates and competitors of the affected bowler of the circumstances.
  • Remind all players to observe social distancing if nearby the affected bowler.
  • Require the affected bowler to use an N95 mask for the duration of the game as a condition of continuing to play bowls.

The affected bowler must not:

  • handle the jack or the mat.
  • handle the bowls of other players.

Individuals should:

  • Wear a face mask if near the affected bowler.
  • Ensure social distancing is observed by all players nearby.
  • Wipe down the jack (and even bowls) regularly during a game.
  • Pick up and handle only their own bowls during the game.
  • Place the jack on the line by use of the foot.
  • Remove bowls from the head (to concede shots) by use of the foot (if possible).

A careful and considered approach by anyone with cold and flu symptoms or COVID will keep us all safe.

For further information on COVID-19, visit www.coronavirus.tas.gov.au or call the Public Health Hotline Hotline on 1800 671 738.

BTS Board
27 March 2023