COVID-19: RETURN TO RESTRICTED PLAY

Updated 3.10.20
Based on LTA Guidelines
Important: We have indicated the key additions and updates to these guidelines with [NEW] and [UPDATED] in the information set out below. 
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The virus has not gone away and it is paramount that Members remain careful and continue to observe the safety protocols that have been put in place for the benefit of all.


SECTION 1: BEFORE & AFTER PLAY
STAY UP TO DATE
  • Government information around social distancing is available HERE and should be read in full.
  • Be aware guidance can change and restrictions may be reintroduced – ensure you have checked the latest version of the LTA’s guidelines for tennis players on the LTA website HERE.

PRE-ATTENDANCE SYMPTOM CHECK 
  • Anyone attending a venue (including players, coaches, staff and any other visitors), should undergo a pre-attendance self-assessment for any COVID19 symptoms using the information on the NHS website before leaving home.
  • No-one should leave home to participate in tennis if they, or someone they live with, has symptoms of COVID -19, currently recognised as any of the following: - A high temperature - A new, continuous cough - A loss of, or change to, their sense of smell or taste
  • Should an individual have demonstrated any such symptoms, they must follow NHS and PHE guidance on self-isolation
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NHS TEST & TRACE 
  • Whilst we are not legally required to register players from 9th October we will display a QE code poster and we strongly recommend you to scan in with the NHS app if you are attending:
    • group sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings
    • and the Saturday morning roll up,
    • as well as Cardio tennis, doubles tactics and improvers’ courses
    • Playing interclub competitive matches (incl visiting team players)
  • We would also remind you to take particular care when touching club and court locks and door handles and using the toilets and washrooms.  Handwashing supplies and sanitizer are available in the pavilion and you are encouraged to use them.  In accordance with the guidelines the net adjusters and measuring sticks have been removed and the net height has been set, please do not attempt to adjust it
  • If someone who has played at your venue develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should be directed to follow the Government’s ‘test and trace’ guidelines, which can be read on the Gov.uk website
  • [NEW] To support NHS Test and Trace, venues should keep a temporary record of all those on site for 21 days, in a way that is manageable, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. 
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BEFORE LEAVING HOME & AFTER YOU RETURN
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before leaving home to go to the court (or use an alcohol gel if washing hands is not possible)
COURT BOOKINGS
  • Please do NOT turn up to play UNLESS you have pre-booked a court using the online Globus online court booking system.  Courts  can only be booked 7 days in advance. If you need your user name and log in details email Tara Cosser at wsgcoffice@wsgc.co.uk or refer to your joining instruction pack.
EQUIPMENT
  • Take hand sanitizer with you. Take all your own equipment (do not share equipment such as racquets, grips, hats and towels).
  • [UPDATED] The  tennis pavilion will be reopened on 1st July and only TWO people will be allowed in the clubhouse at any one time. A hand sanitiser has been installed externally by the front door. Please sanitize your hands before entering the door key code.  Members use the clubhouse at their own risk. 
  • Only take the minimum amount of equipment with you that you need to play
  • Clean and wipe down your equipment, including racquets and water bottles before and after use
  • Bring a full bottle of water and do not share food or drink with others
  • Bring your own tennis balls that are clearly marked (e.g. with your own initials)  [NEW] NOTE: LTA guidelines now say players  do not now need to use their own clearly marked tennis balls – but if you choose to use shared balls then extra care must be taken to ensure you do not touch your face during play, and you should clean your hands before play and immediately after finishing (use alcohol gel if required)
  • Ensure you take all your own belongings with you at the end of the session and do not leave anything on court
TRAVELLING TO & FROM THE COURT
  • Sanitise your hands after touching any court gates, fences, benches, etc, and avoid doing so where possible  the nets will be  locked off at the correct height.
  • Arrive as close as possible to when you need to be there
  • Be sure to leave the courts 5 minutes before your court time ends so that it is empty for the next players
  • Allow players to leave before you enter the court – allowing 2m physical distancing
  • If you need to wait please do so away from the courts and clear of the gates
  • Arrive ready and changed to play
 
SECTION 2: DURING PLAY

  • TENNIS ACTIVITY  [UPDATED] Singles and doubles can be played with people from different households, and recreational competitions (including club nights), can now take place as long social distancing guidelines are adhered to and venues follow COVID-19 Secure guidelines.  For informal social play, group size is limited to a maximum of six people by law. This means you can play tennis providing people only meet up with no more than 5 other people from different households and observe social distancing guidelines  People should not go to a tennis venue socially in groups of more than six
  • [UPDATED] ORGANISED GROUP ACTIVITY
    • OUTDOORS  The government has confirmed that organised activity for larger groups, including coached sessions, club nights and competitions is permitted as an exception to the limit of six, provided the activity is in accordance with the COVID-19 Secure guidelines published by the LTA for venues, coaches, players and competitions. The Government has made it clear that organised larger group tennis activity is only permitted where this is the case
    •  Any organised larger group tennis activity is only permitted subject to a thorough risk assessment and event delivery plan, taking into consideration the relevant LTA and Government guidance, and where clear and appropriate risk mitigation measures are in place
    • [NEW] When participating in any tennis activity indoors or outdoors, participants must not mingle in groups of more than six before and after the activity, while maintaining social distancing with those from another household at all times. If an organiser is not able to ensure this (including when arriving at or leaving activity or in any breaks or socialising) then such events should not take place. Attendees must avoid social interaction with anyone outside the group they are with, even if they see other people they know, at all times during their visit.  For further information on club organised sessions click on the following links:
  • Larger group sessions may need to utilise multiple full-size courts in order to maintain social distancing, depending on the local environment and risk assessment. Where space and number of courts available is limited, then based on your risk assessment only smaller group sessions may be possible. Coaches should refer to the LTA’s recommended coach: player ratios for more specific guidance
  •  For outdoors activity, the LTA recommends no more than 12 players on one full-size tennis court and surrounding areas at any one time, in order to ensure social distancing can be maintained at all times. Most tennis sessions will have far fewer than this number per court, but a scenario where this might apply is red stage tennis for children
  •  Whilst Government guidance does not state an upper limit for sport and physical activity participation events for adults, for those venues that have taken steps to ensure they are COVID-19 secure, we recommend that all venues very carefully consider the maximum capacity that they can operate at safely and whilst ensuring social distancing can be maintained at all times. All venues should produce detailed risk assessments and event delivery plans taking into account these factors
  •  For children, organised tennis activity including coached sessions should be limited to groups of no more than 15 children (plus coach(es), in line with guidance from the Department of Education on out of school settings
  • [UPDATED] We would prefer people not  to congregate after playing. Because doubles play will increase numbers at the club no extra-curricular or social activity should take place on or around the clubhouse pavilion. We are trying to keep numbers at the club to a minimum to avoid unnecessary crowding. 
 
MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING
  • Stay at least 2m away from other players at all times (including during play, when taking breaks and before and after play).
  • For doubles, consider agreeing in advance which player will take the shot if a ball travels to the centre of the court
  • Do not make physical contact with other players (such as shaking hands or high five)
  • Stay on your side of court and avoid changing ends, or agree to change ends at opposite sides of the net to help maintain social distancing
  • Avoid chasing the ball down to another court if players are using it
EQUIPMENT & FACILITIES
  • Players do not now need to use their own clearly marked tennis balls – however, if you choose to use shared balls then extra care must be taken to ensure you do not touch your face during play, and you should clean your hands before play and immediately after finishing (use alcohol gel if required)
  • However, should you wish to continue using your own balls please make sure they are clearly marked with your name and avoid using your hands to pick up tennis balls that aren’t yours – use your racquet/foot-kick/kick them to your opponent or return them to another court
  • Avoid using other equipment such as court-side benches, net handles or court sweepers. Court gates will be left unlocked and the net set & locked to the correct height.
  • The tennis clubhouse will be open and limited to two people at a time. Make sure hands are sanitised before entering the clubhouse. Take care when using the toilets.
  • A first aid kit and defibrillator machine is located in the golf club lobby accessed via the changing rooms.  
SUPERVISION 
  • Where attendance of a parent/guardian (non-participant) is required, or a carer for a disabled player, it is permitted and is not counted as part of the maximum group size of six, but should be off court and limited to one per player where possible, with social distancing strictly observed while watching the sessions
HYGIENE
  • Hand hygiene is imperative - use alcohol gel to clean your hands after touching a shared surface. We recommend you use your own hand gel. A hand sanitiser has been installed  externally by the clubhouse front door. Please sanitise your hands before entering the door key code.
  • If you need to sneeze or cough, do so into a tissue or upper sleeve
  • Avoid touching your face
  • [ALERT] If someone who has played at the WSTC and  develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should be directed to follow the Government’s ‘test and trace’ guidelines, which can be read on the Gov.uk website
COMPETITIONS 
  • Some formats of competition will be able to resume before others, and Local Tennis Leagues LTA Youth Box Leagues and internal singles and doubles box leagues/ladders can be played as long as they adhere to the guidelines in place
  • All LTA staged and LTA approved competitions (grade 1 to 6) up to at least Sunday 26 July 2020 have been cancelled
  • LTA approved competitions (Grade 6) such as Match plays and County & District Leagues may be able to resume earlier than 26 July based on Government advice – and LTA will provide an update on these competitions in due course.
  • Friendly matches between Clubs/Counties, Team Challenge, Quorn Family Tennis Cup and Internal Club Competition can also now restart outdoors in line with the Government’s guidance. 
  • Detailed guidance on the ‘Return to Competition’ for officials and competition organisers has been published at www.lta.org.uk/coronavirus
  • NHS TEST & TRACE  Whilst we are not legally required to register players from 9th October we will display a QE code poster and we strongly recommend both the WSTC team and visiting club players scan in  using the NHS app.

VENUE MANAGEMENT [NEW]
  • [NEW] As a COVID-19 secure venue, all venues should have in place a process for how they would handle a case of someone testing positive. Venues should refer to the Test & Trace section below, and can find information on how to approach cleaning for such instances on the Government website
  •  Guidelines will be updated as we progress through the different phases of Government measures - the LTA remains in discussions with Government, so we recommend you check the official LTA position at lta.org.uk/coronavirus on a regular basis to stay abreast of the latest recommendations
  •  Any measures venues put in place to enable tennis activity to resume need to be capable of being flexed or changed quickly if tighter social distancing is reintroduced in the future or when the restrictions are further relaxed.
  • This guidance is applicable to both outdoor tennis venues and indoor tennis venues PRE-ATTENDANCE SYMPTOM CHECK
  •  Anyone attending a venue (including players, coaches, staff and any other visitors), should undergo a pre-attendance self-assessment for any COVID19 symptoms using the information on the NHS website before leaving home.
  •  No-one should leave home to participate in tennis if they, or someone they live with, has symptoms of COVID -19, currently recognised as any of the following: - A high temperature - A new, continuous cough - A loss of, or change to, their sense of smell or taste
  •  Should an individual have demonstrated any such symptoms, they must follow NHS and PHE guidance on self-isolation GUIDANCE FOR TENNIS VENUES IN ENGLAND LTA.ORG.UK/CORONAVIRUS NHS TEST & TRACE
  •  If someone who has played at your venue develops symptoms of COVID-19, they should be directed to follow the Government’s ‘test and trace’ guidelines, which can be read on the Gov.uk website
  •  To support NHS Test and Trace, venues should keep a temporary record of all those on site for 21 days, in a way that is manageable, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. This should also include keeping a temporary record of staff shift patterns for your venue for 21 days
  •  [UPDATED] For venues providing hospitality or indoor sports facilities, it is a now a mandatory requirement have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and keep this for 21 days – this can be via the NHS app (see below)
  •  [NEW] Further guidance on maintaining records of staff, customer and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace can be read on the Government website. 
  • NHS COVID-19 APP [NEW]  Venues that provide indoor tennis facilities or offer hospitality must download and display an official QR code poster for visitors to scan with the NHS app
  •  Any other tennis venue that has an indoor space where people congregate is also encouraged to create a QR code poster for the entrance to that venue. By supporting the official NHS QR code poster system, you'll be protecting your visitors and your business.
  •  To create a coronavirus NHS QE code for your venue visit the Government website – if you need help, see this guide on how to create your poster
  •  When displaying posters, venues should ensure that enough are on display and located appropriately to allow visits to scan in without queues forming – see the NHS’ tips for displaying your posters
  •  Be aware that for venues that are required to collect data, you will still need to offer a manual option for recording visitors' contact details, for people who do not have a smartphone or do not want to use the NHS COVID-19 app, or who do not wish to show you their venue check-in history
  •  If you have a locker room or communal area where people may leave their phones, then you can display this poster to advise them to pause the contact tracing on their app
  •  Further help and guidance is available on the NHS website, including FAQs for venues, guidance posters for the public on how to download the app on iOS and Android, and how to use the QR code poster to scan in to a venue 

WSTC Committee