REDHILL BOWLING CLUB – COVID-19 GUIDELINES

Redhill Bowls Club is preparing to open the club site on 1st June for roll-up activities.
Bowls England have provided guidance following the recent easement of the Covid-19
restrictions. We believe the recommendations provided form CLEAR GUIDANCE for all
members who enter the club site.

It is essential that any member wishing to bowl reads these guidance notes thoroughly and
adheres strictly to them when at RBC. The Club Directors recognise that the club has a
Duty of Care for all members and believe that these guidelines provide a low risk
environment for members to enjoy their sport on a recreational basis. It must be stressed
that members participating in bowls at RBC under the current guidelines do so entirely at
their own risk.

The notes below comprise the Bowls England guidance supplemented
by the RBC specific guidance highlighted in red.

1. Clubs – Summary of Recommended Action
Bowls England recommends that all clubs follow the guidance below (the guidance may be
adapted if necessary for your club, so long as it remains consistent with Government
advice and social distancing requirements):

Play Arrangements
• Off-site booking system for rink allocation (i.e. Google Calendar).

An online booking system is available on the club website. Booking times are: 2.30-3.30,
4.00-5.00, 6.00-7.00 on Monday to Friday with the exception of Thursday when
the club will be closed all day. The club will not be open on Saturday or
Sunday. Please note the booking deadlines as follows: 2.30 Booking stops at
8.30am / 4.00 Booking stops at 10am / 6.00 Booking stops at 12 noon.
• Minimum of 20 minutes between allocated time slots to enable players to arrive/depart
safely. You should arrive no sooner than 15 minutes before the time you have
booked a rink. This time slot is for you to change your shoes and sanitise the
equipment. After 1 hour of play there is a further 15 minutes allowed to
sanitise the equipment you have used and put it away, change your shoes
and leave the Club to avoid contact with members arriving for the next
session.
• Clubs to communicate in advance with players to advise on social distancing
requirements that are being applied on arrival at the club – for example not leaving cars
until a certain time before their allocated time slot.
• Only play on alternate rinks e.g. 1, 3, 5 OR 2, 4, 6 (keep an empty rink between rinks that
are being played on). Upon arrival the Green Steward will allocate the playing rink.
• Maximum of six players on club premises at any one time (assuming average of two
people per rink who are not from the same household). Clubs may wish to increase this
number if more than two people from the same household are to participate on the same
rink. The maximum number of players on a single rink will be two and the maximum
number of players excluding the Green Steward/s will be six on the club site.
• No visitors/spectators to be admitted to the club
• Capping the number of occasions a player can book a rink each week to ensure that the
available capacity is distributed fairly. This will be reviewed on a regular basis.

Playing Formats
The following playing formats are in accordance with Government guidelines:
• Individuals playing bowls on their own on a single rink
• Two individuals from two different households playing on a single rink (no marker)
• Members of the same household on a single rink (no marker unless from same
household)
Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to; you must remain at least two metres
apart from other bowlers (who are not part of your household) at all times.

Clubhouse and Facilities
• Until further notice, all clubhouses must be closed. Except as noted below.
• Limited essential access (for example to use the toilets and hand washing facilities) may
be allowed by the club. The club has sectioned areas within the clubhouse where
you may access, please note the kitchen and bar areas are strictly out of use
but the toilets and hand washing facility will be available.
• Sanitiser must be available for cleaning hands and equipment before and after playing.
Sanitiser will be provided in all areas of the club facility, this includes by the
equipment store where players should adhere to good practice in cleaning
equipment before and after use.
• No rubbish bins – players must take any rubbish away with them. It is the responsibility
of each member to ensure they clear up their own rubbish and take with them.
Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to; you must remain at least two metres
apart from other bowlers (who are not part of your household) at all times.

Equipment
To minimise the risk of infection, only essential items (as below) should be utilised during
any session:
• Mat
• Bowls
• Jack
• Rink markers
• Gloves
• Scorecards (these should be retained by one person only if required). Not required for
roll-ups.
• Bowling arm/lifter (for use by one person only if required)
To minimise the risk of infection, any other equipment is not deemed essential equipment
at this time and should not be utilised. The following should not be used:
• Scoreboards
• Bowls pushers
• Ditch markers
• 2m distance sticks
• Chalk

2. Players – Summary of Recommended Actions
Bowls England recommends that all players follow the guidance below (the guidance may
be adapted if necessary to meet individual needs, so long as they remain consistent with
Government advice and social distancing requirements):

In advance
• Do not go to the club if you are experiencing any coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms or
any cold or flu-like symptoms, in particular a cough or a high temperature. Use the NHS
111 website or helpline and seek advice. For your own protection, follow the advice about
self- isolation if you are, or are living with, someone in one of the vulnerable groups. You
must not enter the club site if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms.
• Dress appropriately before you get to the club to avoid the need to change clothes –
change shoes immediately before and after your game
• Travel to the green on your own or with members of your own household only – do not
offer a lift to, or accept a lift from, anyone outside your household. Do not arrive more
than 15 minutes before your allocated booking time.

Personal care
• Avoid using toilets at the club wherever possible and clean anything you have touched
after use. The toilets and hand washing facility will be available within the
clubhouse. Wash hands in soapy water for 20 seconds and use the sanitiser
provided on any surfaces you have contacted. Do not use the lockers. Take
your bowls and shoes home with you at each visit.
• Take any food or drink you might need with you
• Wash or sanitise your hands and sanitise any equipment (including bowls, jacks and
mats) you use before and after you play – do not assume that the person before you has
sanitised the equipment thoroughly
• Sanitise padlocks, keys and door handles before and after use

Playing the game
• You should only play with people from your own household or by yourself or, as long as
you stay two metres apart, with one other person from outside your household. Groups of
more than two people must all be from the same household. This means you cannot have
two or three people from one household plus one person from outside the household
playing together. The maximum number of players on one rink is two.
• Do not shake hands before, during or after a game
• Do not ‘high-five‘ OR ‘hug’ other players to celebrate shots or a win
• Only one player should handle the mat during the session.
• Two jacks (one at each end) should be used and this should be set by one player only
throughout the session

• If scoring:
o Social distancing rules must be strictly adhered to at all times o Do not touch your
opponents’ bowls with your hands
o Avoid measuring for shot/s
When you leave
• When you finish playing, change your shoes and leave the club immediately – ensuring
that you have sanitised all equipment used and that the club is secure (as applicable).
Please ensure you sanitise all equipment you have used, do not expect the
Green Steward to sanitise after you. Ensure you leave the club site no later
than 15 minutes.