Return to Bowls Guidelines Update

UPDATE: Tuesday 14th July 2020.

Metropolitan Melbourne and Shire of Mitchell Clubs:

Bowls Victoria acknowledges the Victorian Premier’s announcement on Tuesday July 7 regarding increased COVID-19 restrictions, and the requirement to return to increased restriction levels from 11:59pm Wednesday July 8, for Metropolitan Melbourne and Shire of Mitchell Council areas.

We’ve worked hard to get a result for our members on the use of greens within the Metro Melbourne & Shire of Mitchell, so we’re pleased to confirm the following:

Clubs located in Metropolitan Melbourne & Mitchell Shire Council areas:

As per the Premier’s advice on Tuesday July 7 and written confirmation received from Sport & Recreation Victoria and Vicsport today (14/7), the following can take place for all clubs located in the Metropolitan Melbourne & Shire of Mitchell areas, for the next 6 weeks (until August 20, 2020):

Clubs must receive approval from their local council to open their Club (only if they are Council owned).
Members must contact their local club as to when they are open.
Indoor Bowls facilities in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell must remain closed.
Outdoor bowls is limited to a maximum of 2 people per rink, with a patron cap of 10 per green.
1.5 metres must be the minimum distance maintained between each rink.
Shared equipment (jacks & mats) must not be shared/only handled by one person, and must be cleaned and disinfected before and after use.
Club houses must be closed (with the exception of toilet facilities).
Outdoor toilet facilities can be used.
Official training or club competitions cannot be held.
Clubs must update all signage at the club to advise members on the new requirements.

To view the full press release click here.

Please refer to the maps below for location information.
Mitchell Shire Council includes: Broadford BC, Kilmore BC, Seymour BC, Seymour VRI BC & Wallan BC

Click to enlarge.

$5,000 Business Support Fund Grant now available:

Businesses within metropolitan Melbourne and Shire of Mitchell that are affected by the return to Stay at Home restrictions may be eligible for a one-off, $5,000 grant under the Business Support Fund – Expansion program.

Find out more and apply now.

Club Poster – COVID-19 Guidelines for Participants

Click here to download for Desktop Printers.

Print ready poster for Professional Printers.

Relevant for clubs outside of Metropolitan Melbourne and Shire of Mitchell:

STAGE 3 – Easing of restrictions

As part of Bowls Victoria’s Stage 3 Return to Play plan submitted to the Victorian Government, the Bowls Clubs in the green areas below are permitted to continue under the following advice from Bowls Victoria on June 22, for the next 6 Weeks (until August 20).

Click to enlarge.

Clubs located in NSW:

NSW clubs affiliated with Bowls Victoria should consider and abide by their State Government legislation.
Bowls Victoria members who live in Victoria and are a member of a New South Wales Club will need to adhere to the recent border closure guidelines from New South Wales and Victoria. To apply for a NSW Border entry permit and understand updated regulations around travelling into NSW, please click here.

Clubs located in Regional Victoria:

Clubhouses with licensed venues can operate for no more than 20 people and not the previously advised 50 people as per the State Government guidelines for bars and clubs.

Please continue to follow the ‘general around the green hygiene’ advice below as we all continue to do our bit to stay safe on the green.

As per the ‘non-contact competition’ advice from the Victorian Government & VicSport, the Metropolitan Pennant Divisional Finals (Weekend & Midweek) will proceed as advised.

Thanks for being patient as we navigate through the release of easing of restrictions (Stage 3) from the Victorian Government.

Following the planned easing of restrictions from the Victorian Government and discussions with Sport & Recreation Victoria, VicSport and Bowls Australia, the below information from Bowls Victoria lists significant steps forward for our sport returning to play in a full capacity (pending further announcements from the Victorian State Government).

This advice is general in nature and the COVID-19 situation is forever changing. Please keep an eye on bowlsvic.org.au and our Bowls Victoria Facebook page for any further updates.

Bowls Clubs and Bowls Regions are encouraged to apply for a short-term survival package from the Victorian State Government as part of helping our sport reboot, rebound and recover from COVID-19.

The following advice is for our Bowls Victoria Clubs and members as of Monday June 22. Until the Victorian Government releases a further update (estimated to be in mid-July), these measures are for the foreseeable future, to keep Victorian Bowlers safe.

General Information:

Clubs can accommodate up to 32 people on an outdoor green at any one time.
Clubs with an indoor green can accommodate up to 20 people only.
Clubs can have up to 8 players on a rink, but if 8 players are on a rink, rinks must be spaced 1.5m apart.
Spectators around an outdoor green at all matches are limited to 20 people per green (spectators are numbers in addition to those playing) and should be scattered around the perimeter at least 1.5m apart.
Club houses with licensed venues can operate for 20 people as per the Premier’s advice from June 20.
Club houses (non-licensed) can re-open as per the Premier’s advice for up to 20 people.
Changerooms and showers can open for up to 20 people.
Club Championship Games (and other competitions) are permitted.
Clubs must have all appropriate signage at the club to advise members on the requirements of play in Stage 3.
NSW clubs affiliated with Bowls Victoria should also consider and abide by their State Government legislation.
Clubs must keep a list of who attends the venue/club and keep a record of their phone number and at what day/time they arrived at the club to assist with contact tracing if required. Download the BV Contact Tracing Register.
Corporate and Barefoot Bowls is permitted for up to 32 people per green, but clubs must keep a record of each visitors’ phone number and what day/time they arrived and departed at the club to assist with contact tracing if required. Bowls Victoria recommends that these types of programs are held off until the middle of July when the next lifting of restrictions are predicted.

Bowls:

Bowlers must practice social distancing (1.5m apart) always.
Up to 8 People per rink is permitted.
Rinks should be positioned a minimum of 1.5 metres apart.

General Around the Green Hygiene:

Please refrain from shaking hands, high-fives or any contact with others and keep 1.5m apart.
Please refrain from handling other people’s bowls.
Mats and jacks should be handled by a minimal amount of people.
Please keep your hands clean by having sanitiser readily available at the club.
Wash your hands before and after play.
Wear clean uniform.
If you are feeling unwell then you should not attend the club under any circumstances.
Members in a high-risk category should strongly consider whether they should or should not be playing as per their own circumstances and/or medical advice.
If a member is sick or comes into contact with someone that may have tested positive to COVID-19, the club must let Bowls Victoria know immediately.