Covid-19 Updates

COVID-19 Updates

Keep up to date with all COVID-19 Update for Bowls in South Australia.

This page will be updated as information is received from SA Health.

Current South Australian Restrictions

The health, safety, and wellbeing of our bowls community remain a priority and it’s important that we carefully follow the restrictions in place by the State Government.

The following restrictions apply state-wide.

The Emergency Management (Activities – Associated Direction No 14)(COVID-10) Direction 2021 have been released and are to operate as an appendix to the Emergency Management (Activities – General No 3) (COVID-19) Direction 2021.

Level 1 restrictions with some additional restrictions 

General restrictions that apply to Sport, Recreation and Fitness 

  • 1 person per 2 square metres for defined public activities – standing
  • 3 people per 4 square metres for defined public activities – sitting
  • Masks to be worn indoor shared public spaces (i.e. club rooms, change rooms, fitness facilities etc.)
  • Seated food and beverage consumption only for indoor defined public activities.

Sport 

  • Team, club and school sport training and competition is allowed
  • Masks required for shared indoor public places (i.e. club rooms, change rooms, fitness centres).

Outdoor sport 

  • Spectators permitted at outdoor sport training or competition – no masks required
  • 1 person per 2 square metres if standing or mixed seated and standing
  • 3 people per 4 square metres if seated.
  • Masks required for health care services (i.e. club physiotherapy, sports trainers, doctors).
  • Mandatory use of QR Codes check-ins.

Indoor sport 

  • Spectators at indoor sporting venues permitted and must wear a mask.
  • 1 person per 2 square metres if standing or mixed seated and standing.
  • 3 people per 4 square metres if seated.
  • Masks required for indoors public spaces including people providing health care services (i.e. club physiotherapy, sports trainers, doctors).
  • Mandatory use of QR Codes check-ins.

Drinks

  • No communal consumption facilities.

    • All beverages can be served to patrons over the bar, or to patrons at tables, providing the patron sits to consume the beverage.
    • No communal consumption facilities.
    • Seated consumption of alcohol when spectating. 
    • Water, soft drinks, coffee, tea and alcohol such as beer cannot be provided in jugs, urns or similar on a communal table for access by all in the club, even if everyone is known to each other.
    • Water, soft drinks and alcohol, such as beer, can be provided in jugs to patrons at individual tables providing the beverage is only consumed at that table and the jug etc isn’t then relocated to another table or area.  Obviously individual glasses, cups must be used at each table.
    • Water, soft drinks, coffee, tea etc can be accessed from a “one touch” vending machine, providing the machine is regularly cleaned.
    • Water can be accessed from a one touch “water fountain” such as Pura Tap, providing the tap is regularly cleaned and patrons use their own cups or water bottles.
    • Tea and coffee can be made available to patrons, and the beverage can be poured from an urn, jug or similar, however it needs to be served by an allocated person/s.

    Food

    • No communal consumption facilities.
    • Share plates of food can be shared amongst people who are part of the same group at the same table.  This includes “home and away” players sitting at the same table as part of their break in competition.
    • Share platters cannot be placed on a communal table for access by all in the Club, even if everyone is known to each other.
    • Food and beverages are now able to be consumed at a bar, providing that there is no food preparation at or adjacent to the bar.
    • Self service communal buffets and salad bars are prohibited, however bain maries or similar are permitted to display/heat food, with the staff then serving the food to the patrons upon request.
    • Barbeques are permitted providing the food and condiments are individually served to the patron by staff.

    Equipment

    • Shared equipment (mat, jacks, lawn bowls) and frequently touched surfaces MUST be cleaned between use by different individuals or groups (as the case may be).

    COVID Marshals are required for:

    • Sporting Clubs.
    • All public activities.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How many people can we have in attendance? (indoor)

    Density requirements are three people per four square metres if sitting or one per two square metres if standing or a mix of standing and sitting. The total number of participants, volunteers, team officials, support staff and spectators will differ from venue to venue depending on the size of the area. This information will be included in your COVID Safe/Management Plan.

    How many people can we have in attendance? (outdoor)

    Density requirements are one person per two square metres however, specific venues may put caps on spectators where necessary to remain within density/capacity requirements. The total number of participants, volunteers, team officials, support staff and spectators will differ from venue to venue depending on the size of the area. This information will be included in your COVID Safe/Management Plan.

    Can we set up a Coffee/Tea Station at our club?

    Yes. Clubs can allow members/patrons to access hot beverages from a coffee/tea station at the Club providing:

    • An urn or similar with a “single touch” lever is used to pour the beverage. i.e. no shared jugs
    • All tea, coffee, sugar etc is provided in individual sachets
    • Individual cups and stirring implements are used, i.e. no shared utensils
    • Masks are worn (unless it is a private function)
    • Hand sanitiser is made available
    • Social distancing is followed when queuing.

    When do I need to wear a mask?

    There are several instances where masks are required to be worn such as:

    • Masks to be worn indoor shared public spaces (i.e. club rooms, change rooms, fitness facilities etc.)

    • Masks can be removed indoors during food and beverage consumption only

    • Spectators at indoor sporting venues must wear a mask

    • Canteen and venue staff/volunteers must wear a mask.

    • Officials/volunteers while not participating in match play at indoor venues must wear a mask.

    Please note;

    There is no requirement for participants and officials to wear masks while participating in training or matches, however, please respect the personal decision of those regarding the wearing of masks.

    Children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a mask.

    Can we drink and eat while standing?

    You can stand while drinking and eating if you’re outside and there’s no more than 1 person per 2 square metres.

    You must consume food and drinks while seated in indoor areas.

    Do we need COVID marshals?

    COVID Marshals are required for all public activities including Sporting Clubs.

    Do I have to use the QR code or contact tracing record sheet?

    YES contact tracing are required.

    What can and can’t we do at a club regarding Food and Beverages?

    No communal food or beverage service areas may operate, this includes buffets, salad bars or communal water/beverage or sauce dispensers. In addition no shared cups or utensils.

    Note: If you remain at the same table, food allocated to your table can be shared among people who are at your table/group.

    One touch drink dispensers can be used however MUST be wiped over frequently. Water bubblers are not permitted (this is the fountain you place your month over).

    What should we do at a club to help stop the spread?

    Providing a clean environment to play Lawn Bowls in is essential. Ensure you:

    •            Provide soap, hand-sanitiser or wipes at all main contact points;

    •            Clean all surfaces, frequently touched surfaces, doorknobs, light switches, gates and tables;

    •            Regularly remind and encourage everyone of the need to wash hands regularly;

    •            Display signage about handwashing and hygiene techniques at strategic points;

    •            Minimise touch points wherever possible.

    COVID Marshals

    COVID Marshals are required for:

    • Sporting Clubs.
    • All public activities.

    A COVID Marshal is required to:

    • Promote and take practical steps to ensure infection control practices (e.g. frequent hand washing) are followed by people involved in the operations (patrons, employees and contractors)
    • Promote and take practical steps to ensure people participating in the operations are complying with density requirements, physical distancing principle
    • Must ensure that all COVID Safe Plans and COVID Management Plans (where relevant) or specific polices/protocols in relation to the prevention of coronavirus are effectively implemented and monitored
    • Ensure the environment is appropriately established and there is sufficient seating, hand washing facilities and cleaning regimes
    • Be present supervising prescribed operations at all times (except where the site operates for 24hrs were at all times means times of high patronage).

    COVID Marshal Training – This training module covers the fundamentals of infection prevention and control for COVID-19

    COVID Marshals – Frequently Asked Questions

    Helpful Resources

  • SA.GOV.AU update

  • COVID- 19 Update – Essential Maintenance

  • Emergency Declaration and Directions

  • The SA Government QR code COVID SAfe Check-In – video

  • You can download the mySA GOV app using your smart phone

  • COVID SAfe Check-In: Frequently asked questions for customers

  • COVID SAfe Check-In: Frequently asked questions for businesses

  • How to use QR code on a smart iPhone 

  • CONTACT TRACING RECORD – ATTENDANCE AT PUBLIC ACTIVITIES

  • COVID-Safe Plan – this must be completed by 1 June if your club is open

  • Attendance Register – a template to facilitate adequate contact tracing 

  • COVID-19 Hygiene Guidance – series of resources

  • COVID-19 Safety Coordinator – why to consider creating a new role at your club

  • Good Hygiene poster

  • Greens Open poster

  • JobKeeper Payment Fact Sheet – for eligibility requirements

  • Keep Your Distance posterORSR Webinars – ‘In a Crisis’ series

  • Temporarily Closed poster 

  • COVID-19- Return to Bowls Toolkit 

  • COVID – Checklist – Return to Play

  • Click Here for Frequently Asked Questions

  • Click Here to view the Bowls Australia COVID19 – Related Support For Clubs and Individuals Document. 

    • Stay Up To Date

  • ABC News Live Updates

  • Australian Institute of Sport

  • Bowls Australia

  • Clubs SA

  • Department of Health

  • Office for Recreation, Sport & Racing

  • SA Health

    • Health and Wellbeing

    Bowls SA recognises and understands the feelings of anxiety, distress and concern many people may be experiencing in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It’s a tough and trying time and we encourage members to look out for each other, and if needed, seek the help available.

    SA Health have created a dedicated Mental Health Support Line for those affected by COVID-19. The line is 1800 632 753 and includes support over the phone and video, and a call-back service.

    Other lines of support:

    Lifeline – 13 11 14

    Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636

    COVID-19 News