COVID19 Update - 2020 / 21 Season

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Tuesday 22nd September

 

A further update on the 'rule of 6' regulations, and the inclusion of indoor sports in this rule, basically puts any hope of us starting the season to bed. Even if the LC had actually responded to our requests for conversation we would still not be in position to progress.

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Until there is a relaxation of the Rule of 6 we are, unfortunately, unable to play.

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Further updates will appear here as and when they are announced.

 

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Following the Prime Minister and First Minister’s announcement earlier this week, the below update now applies for cricket:

 

In England:

• Outdoor cricket activity can still take place in line with ECB guidance.

• From Thursday 24th September: a 10pm curfew is in place for all clubhouses operating as licensed food and drinks venues or selling food and drink. Venues must only offer table service to prevent customers queuing to order, and customers must be seated when consuming food and drink inside the premises.

• Face coverings must be worn indoors in accordance with UK Government law (see here) unless eating or drinking.

• From Monday 28 September: The “Rule of 6” applies to over 18s participating in indoor cricket activity. This means that provided groups of 6 do not mix, multiple net sessions of up to six people per net can take place at the same time in the same COVID secure indoor venue. It means that match play for over 18s in groups larger than 6 is not possible at this time.

• Exemptions to the ‘Rule of 6’ are:

 

1. Under 18s;

2. Educational settings where cricket activity is delivered as part of curriculum or in-school activity. (NB: Where clubs have a booking for the use of a school facility out of school hours, then the rule of 6 would apply)

3. Indoor organised cricket activity for disabled people;

4. Elite training and competition;

5. Coach development courses are exempt as they are covered by the work exemption as long as the workplace is COVID-19 Secure but Government guidance now states that you should carry on working from home wherever possible;

 

• As a result of the changes, the ECB will be reviewing and updating both the indoor guidance for cricket and the guidance for clubhouses to reflect the latest government guidance and will reissue shortly.

• For the latest UK Government guidance and support, please visit Gov.uk; you should also check local restrictions that apply in your area.

• Venues must also display an NHS QR Code Poster (physically or electronically) – see here for details on how to register and create your NHS QR code poster.  Once you have produced and displayed your poster, you then need to get visitors to scan the NHS QR code when they arrive at your venue using the NHS COVID-19 app. Please note that the NHS QR code is an alternative to providing contact details - if someone chooses not to scan the NHS QR code using the NHS COVID-19 app, you are still legally required to record and maintain their contact details in a compliant record keeping system for use in the NHS Test and Trace system.

 

 

The ECB released their latest guidance on Friday (18th Sept) and for the first time have addressed the indoor game. Unfortunately the rules are quite strict and it will take some work with the LC to enable us to put the relevant processes in place. I have requested a meeting with the Leisure Centre to discuss and will update again in due course. Clearly a second spike and further lockdowns could change everything but fingers crossed.

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Latest Update from the ECB

 

We are now in a position to share with you the guidelines for cricket indoors which are available to view via the links below. Thank you for your patience whilst we worked with DCMS and key partners to finalise these. 

 

The purpose of these guidelines is to offer practical guidance to venues, coaching providers and clubs on the steps they should take while undertaking cricket indoors. They should be read in conjunction with latest UK and Welsh Government regulations. These guidelines could change in response to the current COVID-19 Alert Level or other Government advice.

 

In order to keep cricket going as it moves indoors, there will need to be adaptations in place for all, including venues, coaching providers, players, parents/carers, spectators and officials. Those adaptations relate to activity prior to, during and after cricket activity. There are also adaptations from the Step 4 outdoor guidance.

 

A summary of the adaptations is listed below but please read the full guidance documents for both England and Wales for comprehensive details.

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Click here for - GUIDANCE FOR ENGLAND

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Venues

• Carry out a COVID-19 Risk assessment, act on it, communicate it, publish it.

• Include ventilation, occupancy, social distancing and cleaning as a minimum.

• Implement and communicate control measures.

• H&S, First Aid, Safeguarding and Access legislation and requirements remain in place.

• Continually review and update.

• Communicate and work in partnership with Coaching Providers and Clubs to make sure government guidance is followed. 

• In Wales, venues should appoint a Coronavirus Officer

 

Coaching Providers and Clubs

• Carry out a COVID-19 Risk assessment, act on it, communicate it, publish it.

• Plan and adapt your coaching activity to be COVID-19 compliant.

• Plan and adapt pre-session and post-session processes to be COVID-19 compliant (including NHS Test & Trace (England) / Test, Trace, Protect (Wales) requirements).Allow time for handover between sessions.

• H&S, First Aid, Safeguarding and Access legislation and requirements remain in place.

• Check venues when you hire them and work in partnership with them to make sure Government guidance is followed.

• In Wales, coaches must wear facemasks in indoor areas when they are not actively involved in aerobic activity.

• In Wales, coaching providers and clubs should appoint a Coronavirus Officer

• Please note that 'Coaching Provider' is a cover-all term that includes all coaching activity, including coach development activity.

 

Participants

• Enjoy your cricket and enjoy it safely.

• Cricket indoors is different from normal under COVID-19 and different from outdoor cricket under COVID-19, but everything will be explained to you – just follow guidance from your coaching provider or club.

• Individuals should undergo a personal symptom check prior to all activity and not take part if they demonstrate any COVID-19 symptoms, in Wales, participants are required to self-declare this and other requirements (see the guidance).You should maintain 2 m social distancing at all times.

• Players should minimise handling of the ball in all activity, by limiting contact as it makes its way back to the bowler and using small groups in training.

• No sweat or saliva should be added to the ball at any time.

• Limit the sharing of equipment where possible. Where not possible, practise strict hand and equipment hygiene. If you have any queries do not hesitate to contact your coaching provider or club.

• In Wales, participants must wear facemasks when entering an indoor facility, and when not participating in cricket activity. They are permitted to remove facemasks during cricket sessions.

 

Supporting Documents

To support delivery of cricket indoors we have provided an infographic for England and an infographicfor Wales. 

 

In relation to England: Checklists for venue operators and coaching providers and clubs and a risk assessment template are all available.

 

In relation to Wales: Checklists for venue operators and coaching providers and clubs and a risk assessment template are all available.

 

All of these documents can also be accessed in the ECB Resource Hub here. A reminder to create an account if you have not done so already.

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