Club News

Covid Update 29/10/2021 – Bowls Vic

Hi All, This is the latest update from Bowls Victoria.

29/10/2021

UPDATED COVID information

Bowls Victoria UPDATE: 5.00pm Wednesday 27th October, 2021.

Play/Vaccination advice for clubs:

We are continuing to work with Government to help comply with the Government Directions and find more practical solutions for clubs to operate. While we have some clarity from the recently released Open Premise Directions, until we have full clarity, we have provided Questions and Answers relating to key issues.

There are two key definitions now used by Government which are crucial to understanding the new directions:

  • Community Sport (only events conducted by Bowls Victoria including Pennant, State Championships)
  • Physical Recreation (club bowls including social bowls, tournaments, practice, training, barefoot bowls, corporate bowls etc)

Please click the blue button below and read the document and accompanying table in full for an understanding of where things are at as of today. We will advise when we have any further updates and we stress this information is changing rapidly. We understand the situation is difficult for all.

20/10/2021

Vic Government and Bowls Victoria instructions – from Friday 22nd October, 2021.
TERANG Bowling Club Members and Visitors will need to be fully Vaccinated for Covid 19 to enter the club rooms and take part in training sessions. You will be required to show proof of your vaccinations by producing your vaccination certificate on your phone ( link it to your check in app) or by a printed copy of your certificate.

Vaccination Requirements – Regional Victoria. as from 22/10/2021

“Bowls Victoria will follow the government requirements for vaccination. There are no exceptions listed for an unknown vaccination status. Sport is available to the fully vaccinated, outdoor only DQ4 with a cap of 50 persons. Bowls Victoria interpret the cap to be 50 persons per green in line with the previous directions of zones for areas with multiple netball courts, football pitches, football ovals, cricket fields, or different sporting courts such as MSAC etc.
It is also clear that the hospitality guidelines state that Bowling Clubs can open to 30 fully vaccinated people indoors and 100 outdoors.
Vaccination status can be proven by any of the government approved methods. Clubs must still adhere to the limits as described in “Number of Players” and the vaccination requirements for hospitality as listed in these guidelines.”

From Bowls Vic Return to Play

4/10/2021

Latest update: Please note our club events have been  suspended until further notice. We can continue to train/practice, a limit of 20 on the green applies. No scoring or competition.

“In general, the limit for training has been set at the minimum number of people required to train. No inter club competitions, Barefoot Bowls, Social Bowls or Club Championships. Food and drink facility: Open for seated service only with maximum of 30 outdoors and 10 indoors subject to density limits.”

1/10/2021

Regional Victorian areas not in lockdown continue with no change (i.e. training only, for the minimum number required, is permitted), and must follow the most recently published RTP Guidelines (below) until a revised copy is published.

Key details –

Key introductory points:
• Information is changing rapidly, be sure to check the BV website, Facebook page and DHHS for updates.
• Check with your local council for any rules they may have.
• There can be different rules where clubs are interstate but affiliated with BV, awareness of the local rules is a must.
• At all times, keep safe and use common–sense.
• If any member is unwell, tell them to get tested and not attend the club.
• Be patient with others, particularly those who are trying to construct/interpret rules and regulations.

Click on the link for the latest updated guidelines.

Bowls-Victoria-return-to-bowls-guidelines-29-September-2021-V2

My reading of this is that we continue with training activities only. (See 2nd last paragraph) – Hopefully there will be some more information on Wednesday.

The latest update from Bowls Victoria.

27/9/2021

We had hoped to be able to share definitive information about the impending changes in restrictions, but unfortunately we haven’t received all the required clarity from Government despite repeated requests.
What we do know is below, which is chiefly around the change that will occur once 80 percent of Victorians aged 16+ have received their first COVID-19 vaccination.
We will reach this milestone around 28-29 September according to the Victorian Government’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan to transition Australia’s National response to COVID-19.
What we know so far, is (NB: this applies to Metropolitan Melbourne and Regional Victorian areas in lockdown):
• Groups of up to 5 f͟u͟l͟l͟y͟ v͟a͟c͟c͟i͟n͟a͟t͟e͟d͟ people (plus a coach) can take part in practice (i.e. roll-ups).
• Or groups of 2 (plus a coach) if n͟o͟t͟ f͟u͟l͟l͟y͟ v͟a͟c͟c͟i͟n͟a͟t͟e͟d͟ can take part in practice (i.e. roll-ups).
• There must be contactless entry to the club (we are awaiting clarification on this but take it to mean eliminating multiple people touching entry gates, locks, etc).
For the important detail on whether there can be multiple groups of 5 (or 2), unfortunately we must wait until the Restricted Activity Directions are updated to be able to confirm the details around the easing of restrictions. We anticipate these will be released at midnight on 28 September 2021. We have sought an advanced copy to assist clubs, but unfortunately were not permitted access.
In the meantime, the clear message from the Roadmap, is there will be very different restrictions for fully vaccinated people compared to unvaccinated people. You are encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as possible if eligible. Please check with your doctor if you have any questions in regards to vaccinations.
Once we do receive the RADs, we will update our Return to Play Guidelines on our website. Regional Victorian areas not in lockdown continue with no change (i.e. training for the minimum number required is permitted).
Further easing of restrictions are slated as per the Roadmap, which we will continue to advise in due course. Loosely, they will involve a return to training in late October, and a return to competition in early/mid November.