Published 26 May 2020

Bowls New ZealandCovid-19 Alert Level 2 Recommendations as at 26 May 2020

As you will be aware, Monday’s announcement from Government provides New Zealanders with a relaxation of some of the restrictions of Alert Level 2 from midday on Friday 29^th May, specifically the removal of the “Groups of 10” restriction. As a result of this change, bowling clubs will likely find their operation simpler to manage than previously under Alert Level 2 should they wish to open for business again.

For those clubs that have been operating under the “Groups of 10” restriction since last Thursday and to those that wish to open their doors from midday on Friday, we recommend that you continue to follow the guidelines and recommendations that we outlined on 13^th May. An updated version of these recommendations is above for your reference.

Key points to note are as follows:

• Players can play in a competition format and/or across multiple rinks on the same green (i.e. it is possible to play on multiple rinks) providing the maximum of six people per rink / six rinks per green is retained.
• Interaction between players on the green and in the clubhouse is permissible providing our recommended maximum of 36 people on a green / 50 people in the clubhouse is considered.
• AGMs / Prizegiving Functions and other meetings can now take place in a clubhouse.

As previously:

• Our recommendations are provided to clubs as a baseline from which they can make their own decisions, providing they remain within the present Government legislation. We accept that every club has a different setup and that factors such as clubhouse configuration, management structure and membership specifics will be relevant to a club’s final decision around their operation after midday on Friday 29^th May.
• Through me, we will continue to provide support to clubs and / or their Executive personnel that wish to discuss their particular situation with a view to making good decisions around their operation from Friday afternoon.

Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to the health and safety of your members and to the game that we all love.

Kind regards

Chris Lander

General Manager – Clubs & Community

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Published 13 May 2020

Alert Level 2 Recommendations - Updated 13 May 2020

Like most sports and organisations, Bowls New Zealand were somewhat caught out by the governments ‘ten persons or less’ guideline for the first couple of weeks of Alert Level Two. We had, like most, been working on a scenario that allowed for larger sporting groups to connect, under safe conditions.

We have since reviewed the Government and Sport NZ information, and offer the following to bowling clubs in these early stages of Alert Level 2:

Bowls New Zealand’s recommendation is that bowling clubs do not open until the ‘ten persons or less’ guideline is either removed or increased.

IF Bowling Clubs wish to open under Alert Level Two and support the ‘ten persons or less’ guideline, then we have the following expectations:

1. That any activity on the bowling green be limited to a bubble of six persons or less on a ‘wide’ rink (up to six rinks per green max.)
   1. There shall be no movement between rinks, that would see members of one bubble (six persons or less) playing members of another bubble; and
   2. That upon entering the clubrooms, this bubble of six persons or less must be seated at the same table(s) and there be no mixing between bubbles in the clubrooms.
2. That any club opening their facilities only for the purposes of food and beverage wait until Thursday 21^st May, when bars are permitted to be open:
   1. That a contact tracing register MUST be maintained, facilities are hygienic and that the distancing rules are applied; and
   2. That no external group bookings of ten or more be permitted to the clubrooms.

All bowling clubs should also continue to follow the ‘Best Practice’ Guidelines (13-May) if either their greens or clubrooms are open under Alert Level Two.

Bowls New ZealandCovid-19 Alert Level 2 Recommendations as at 13 May 2020

Bowls New Zealand is supportive of any club that decides not to open during Alert Level Two, as we continue to promote a ‘health before bowls’ message. If in doubt, then let’s simply delay opening our sport and clubrooms to our communities …. There will still be plenty of bowls to be played in 2020.

Should you wish to have any of the above explained in greater detail or have another question or issue that requires clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Stay safe.

Kind regards

Chris Lander

General Manager – Clubs & Community