Coronavirus - Club Guidance
The Committee has considered matters carefully following the Government’s announcement on Monday with regard to the measures which we must all take to fight the Coronavirus. Taking these considerations and also the guidance available from the LTA, the Committee has decided the following:
- Courts - The courts will remain open but members should remember the guidelines about social distancing.
- Clubhouse - although toilet facilities are available, members should refrain from using the clubhouse, if at all possible, for any gathering (coffee etc).
- Bar - this will be shut until further notice.
- Coaching - the coaching programme will continue as normal for the time being.
- Leagues - the Wirral winter league has been suspended and discussions are taking place about the summer league due to start on 28th April.
This is a rapidly changing situation and members should also refer to the government/clinical officer advice which is more current.
In the meantime, I hope that everyone will be able to play some tennis and enjoy the courts.
Thank you to all members for their understanding in this difficult situation
This page provides up to date information as to how the coronavirus (Covid-19) and the latest government advice around it, relates to tennis activities in Britain and all those involved in delivering them. Please be aware that this is a fast moving situation and liable to change with very little notice.
The latest Government guidance and information regarding Covid-19 can be found via the following link:
Suspension of LTA activity
The Government’s statement on Monday (16 March) in relation to Covid-19 said now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel. The statement included guidance that:
- Anyone who lives with someone who has a cough or a temperature should stay at home for 14 days
- People should start working from home where they possibly can
- Avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues
- Only use the NHS when we really need to
In light of this statement, the LTA implemented an immediate suspension of activity it delivers, with this suspension now in place for the foreseeable future. This includes all LTA organised training sessions, training courses and competitions. As a result all LTA staged and LTA approved competitions (grade 1 to 6) up to 20 April 2020 have been cancelled, with a decision on cancelling future competitions beyond that date being made on a rolling two week basis.
Given the nature of activities the LTA delivers, including the requirement for significant travel and close contact, we feel this is the most socially responsible and appropriate action for us to take at this stage, and ask for the understanding and support of all those impacted by this decision.
As it stands, the LTA’s major grass court events beyond 8 June have not been cancelled. The Surbiton Trophy has however now been cancelled - please click here for further information.
Tennis in Britain
We are working closely with both the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and Sport England to help to fully assess the implications this latest advice has for tennis in Britain over the coming weeks.
All those involved in tennis in Britain, including tennis venues and coaches, are advised to follow Government advice, referring to the latest information and the guidance issued. For the latest coronavirus advice for coaches click here, for the latest coronavirus advice for venues click here.
While the LTA has suspended its organised activity, the Government have currently indicated that recreational exercise that takes place at a safe distance from others and in safe exercise environments is something that can continue during this period.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport has specifically advised us that tennis is one of the best examples of social distancing in practice, and so should be encouraged as long as the guidance permits.
Guidance with regard to advised social distancing measures (defined by Public Health England as spending no more than 15 minutes and not within a 2-metre distance talking to someone) is provided on the Government website:
Sport England’s latest update for the sport and physical activity sector regarding Covid-19 can be read here:
Preventing the spread of Covid-19
As with any other illness, everyone is strongly encouraged to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 and avoid catching it by following NHS guidance and complying with requests to stay at home when advised to do so.
Additional information on what actions you should take to help prevent the spread of Covid-19 is provided on the NHS.UK website: