Blofield Tennis Club

Covid 19 Guidance Note  

Return to Restricted Play

This note draws your attention to the key points from the latest LTA’s Guidance version 5 .We have not repeated in any detail the Government’s current general social distancing guidelines and public health advice for hygiene which we are all required to follow. You should also  assess whether you are experiencing any Covid-19 symptoms before you decide to come to the Club and to follow the Government’s ‘test and trace’ guidelines, which can be read on the Government website .There will be a controlled return to Club sessions from the week beginning 27th July.

Tennis activity

• Singles and doubles play is permitted with people from outside of your household, as long as you remain 2 metres apart as far as possible. Players should limit their interactions with players from other courts.
• However Club Afternoons/Nights, club mix-in sessions are permitted (subject to new arrangements and a maximum of 20 participants) which were introduced from 27th July .The use of own balls remains the Committee’s preference. Players must pre book using the WhatsApp system run by Penny Jewkes and Diana Guilder. Players cannot just turn up .This is to facilitate test and trace if necessary and to regulate court capacity.
• Avoid chasing the ball onto another court if others are using it.

• No spectators on court, and only one spectator per player maintaining social distancing.

Facilities

• The nets have been set at the appropriate height to avoid players having to adjust them. The winders have been removed. 
• Please wash your hands before you leave home and bring hand sanitiser with you (though there is some at the entrance to the courts) for use after touching common surfaces such as court gates, benches, toilet/clubhouse door though avoid contact where possible. Members should open the gate with disposable gloves, use appropriate wipes or hand sanitiser to satisfy themselves about hygiene when opening and after closing the gates or toilet door. 
• Access to the Clubhouse remains limited .Please wipe down all surfaces you may have touched.

Court Access

• Maintain minimum of the current recommended social distancing (presently 2 metres) at all times from arrival at car park to departure and especially at the narrow gate to the courts.
• Play should be spread over the courts in the first instance to minimise contact, but play can take place side by side if all courts are in use.
• Players should avoid entering the courts until previous players on that court have finished their game.
• Players should avoid congregating  on the courts when not playing

Online Court Booking

• To avoid congestion, ensure you have booked a court in advance using the ClubSparks booking system or the various Apps in use .Members (and guests) name must appear on the booking form. The use of cash payments is discouraged.

 Equipment

• Players should not share equipment.
• The committee recommends that players bring and use their own marked balls and avoid handling balls which are not theirs.
• The  LTA’s advice about balls: is -

If you choose to use shared balls then extra care must be taken to ensure you do not touch your face during play. You should clean your hands before play and immediately after finishing (use alcohol gel if required).

‘Avoid using your hands to pick up tennis balls that aren’t yours – use your racquet/foot to hit/kick them to your opponent or return them to another court’

For everyone’s safety and peace of mind please abide by these rules even if you disagree with them.

Thank you,

Blofield Tennis Club Committee

Last updated 17/08/20 :2