After a successful trial yesterday, involving both members and committee, we are now open for play from Monday 15th June for one session per night- starting at 6pm. We hope to increase this if all goes well. This will enable the committee to help with the collection of bowls from the locker room, which will remain closed in phase one, as will the club building and toilets.
Please read the Bowls Scotland Briefing Document (May 2020) prior to playing. We have provided a shortened version of the Bowls Scotland Guidance below. The committee can answer any questions you may have around the new process.
Important to note
All players must book a rink through Facebook Messenger or by contacting Christopher Stein.
- Social distancing is required at all times
- No spectators at all around the green
- No alcohol to be brought to the club or consumed in, or around, the premises
- No smoking on or off the green
- Players must bring their own hand sanitiser
Enjoy your game everyone – it’s great to be back. Hopefully, we will be able to have fewer restrictions in the near future, but until then we will remain compliant as always.
Bowls Scotland Guidance
This is a shortened version with extracts taken from the Bowls Scotland Briefing Document (May 2020) in response to COVID 19 and phase 1 opening of greens. It is not exhaustive, but demonstrates the restrictions we must have in place to ensure everyone’s safety.
Guidance for Players
- Players who have COVID-19 symptoms, or if anyone in their household displays symptoms, should stay at home and follow NHS guidance. No one who is self-isolating should attend the club.
- Players who are at a higher risk, have an underlying health condition, or are in the shielding category, should remain at home until Scottish Government guidelines change
- Players who are 70 and over can play, but should follow Scottish Government guidelines to make their own decision about returning to the green
- Players should check if the club is open for play. Please be patient and understanding if the club can only open very limited sessions
- Players should go through the club booking system by direct message on Facebook, and ensure they receive confirmation of their booking and don’t just turn up to the green to play
- Players should only play individually, with members of their own household, or with a member of one other household as long as social distancing can be maintained
- Players should not consume alcohol before, during, or after play at the club, and smoking at the green should be discouraged
- Players should not attempt to enter the clubhouse as these facilities will remain closed
- Players should follow the ‘Guidance for Bowling Activity’ section set out below
- Players travelling to bowling greens should do so in line with the Scottish Government Travel/Transportation Guidelines. E.g. It is permitted to travel short distances (approximately 5 miles) for outdoor leisure and exercise but advised to stay within a short distance of your local community and travel by walk, wheel and cycle where possible
Guidance for Bowling Activity
Arrival and Waiting to Play:
- The clubhouse and locker room facilities should remain closed. Limited essential access, for example, to remove bowls and shoes may be allowed by the club, and should be coordinated appropriately e.g. the key holder looking after the facility should place items outside for collection, but clubs should risk assess and ensure appropriate measures are in place
- Clubs should communicate in advance with players to advise on social distancing requirements that are being applied on arrival at the club. It is advised that players do not arrive until 5 minutes before play.
During Play:
- Players should use separate mats and jacks
- Disinfectant spray will be made available by the club. Players must use the disinfectant spray after each game to cleanse all mats and jacks (ensure these are completely dry of disinfectant before use on the green again)
- As a suggestion, jacks or mats can be set at short, medium or long by the same player after each end rather than rolling the jack down the rink for position
- A maximum of 4 people (1 Pairs Game) can play together
- The 2m social distancing rule must always be observed on and off the green
- Other bowls equipment cannot be shared between players (e.g. cloths, measures, etc.)
- Players should always practice safe hygiene
- Players should not:
- Pick up any other players bowl
- Share equipment out with their rink, e.g. cloths, measures, etc.
- Moisten their hands with saliva before delivery
- Shake hands, high-five or have any physical contact with other people on the green (out with their household)
After Play:
- Players must leave the premises immediately after conclusion of play, making sure they have sanitised the mats, jacks and their hands.
