Further to the advice the Club issued on 16 March 2020, following the Government's emergency measures announced that day, you will be reassured to know that the Management Committee is checking the scientific and Government advice hour by hour. The Lawn Tennis Association's (LTA) advice is being kept up-to-date and it is in accord with the Government's and scientists' advice to the population. Your safety is the Club's top priority.

The purpose of this communication is to update you on how to exercise safely during the current public health emergency, as exercise helps our immune systems and our mood. It is different from previous advice because of the Government advice issued on 20th March 2020, and the LTA's revised advice today.

Group A
If you have a fever or new cough do not come to the Club, and self-isolate at home for 7 days. If you live with someone with those symptoms, the whole household must self-isolate for 14 days from the day the symptoms started. See: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/self-isolation-advice/

The rest of this guidance is not for you.

Group B
By now, all adults and children in high-risk categories should now be shielding themselves for the next 12 weeks. This includes:

• Adults over 70
• Pregnant women
• Those with serious underlying medical conditions including cancer patients, transplant patients, people with severe diseases and those on dialysis, people with cystic fibrosis and severe asthma. In fact, anyone who is entitled to receive an NHS free annual influenza vaccination.

Shielding yourself means staying in your house or garden, and only mixing with people with whom you live and only if they are themselves well. You should not admit family or friends to your home unless they are providing essential care to you, and then only if they are themselves well. You should avoid shopping and get someone else to pick up essential items for you, including medication.

You are encouraged to undertake exercise, where this can be done safely. You can go for a walk, dog walk or a run outdoors as long as you stay 2 metres from other people. You can play tennis, if you adhere to the guidance below.

Group C
Everybody else should also be practising meticulous hand hygiene and social distancing, by avoiding:

• Unnecessary travel
• All social events
• Visiting all indoor venues
• Being within 2 metres of another person outside the home, especially for more than a few minutes at a time
• Shopping, except for essentials.

You are encouraged to undertake exercise, where this can be done safely. You can go for a walk, dog walk or a run outdoors as long as you stay 2 metres from other people. You can play tennis, if you adhere to the guidance below and other outdoor sports that do not involve close contact, the use of buildings, or the sharing of equipment.

How to play tennis safely
The LTA has updated its guidance today:

https://www.lta.org.uk/about-us/tennis-news/news-and-opinion/general-news/2020/march/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-venues/

• Play outdoors
• Stay 2 metres from other players

At all times when arriving, leaving and playing. Do not change ends and do not come together at the net before or after games.

• Do not use the clubhouse

Do not enter the kitchen. Do not stay in the main room. Avoid using the toilets if possible. Bring your own water bottle to use on the court.

• Wash your hands (or use hand gel), before and after a tennis session without exception

Bring your own hand gel unless or until we can provide it courtside. Remember only to use water bottles and eat snacks during tennis sessions if you can avoid the contents being contaminated by your hands before they enter your body.

• Do not share racquets or other equipment, apart from balls
• Avoid touching your face

Using your sleeve if you have an itch, or a tissue you keep in your pocket and take home with you after your session

Balls
Good hand hygiene is your protection from the risk of virus transmission from handling balls. Where possible, avoid picking up balls with your hands. As it is unavoidable that different players will handle the balls in play some of the time, there are some additional measures we will take.

You may consider it preferable to bring your own balls. Alternatively, talk to Chris Cunningham if you play in a regular single/doubles partnership as he may be able to supply you with your own tin of 4 balls.

For club sessions, fewer balls will be issued at a time and they will be kept in their tins in the revolving door between Courts 1 and 2. They will be changed daily. Please do not take these balls home unless Chris Cunningham gives them to you to keep.

Coaching
Chris Cunningham has modified his coaching sessions to ensure that the guidance issued by the LTA is followed as far as is practicable. All scheduled coaching sessions will run and support them if you can. Now is the time to book your 1:1 or small group (2-4) coaching sessions so you are a better player when this is all over. If you would like to arrange additional sessions for you or your children, especially now the children are home from school, please contact chris@chriscoaching.plus.com

We appreciate that these are very worrying times, and each member will have their own issues and judgements to make. For those who continue to play, you should be able to do so safely within the guidelines above.

Sally Gooch
Chair