COVID-19 Latest Update and Guidance (emailed to members on 29th September, 2020)

Following the increase in COVID-19 cases and in particular the increase in local cases in Brentwood making it the highest number of cases per 100,000 in the County, we need to be extra vigilant and take care when playing tennis. We are therefore introducing further guidance in line with The LTA and Government guidelines as follows:

NHS COVID-19 App

We are recommending that you download and use the new NHS COVID-19 app. This is now available to download for free in England and Wales from https://covid19.nhs.uk/. It helps with the tracing and alerts you if you have been near other app users who have tested positive for Coronavirus. It also has a check-in for venues so you get alerted if you have visited a venue where you may have come into contact with coronavirus. We have registered the Tennis Club as a venue and have QR Codes placed on the Club Door, the Summerhouse and the Bus Shelter near Courts 4&5 so that you can scan the QR code when you visit. Please take the time and effort to download and use this app as it will help with keeping us all safe and playing tennis as well as tracing in the unfortunate event we come into contact with coronavirus.

Rule of Six & Organised Group Activities

Although Organised Group activities (Monday Eights, Organised Mixed Doubles, Box Leagues, Organised Coaching, Organised Social Tennis, Fixed Fours) can continue, there are now more stricter guidelines regarding the rule of six and social distancing. Effective immediately, when participating in any tennis activity, participants must not mingle in groups of more than six before and after the activity, while maintaining social distancing with those from another household at all times. Attendees must avoid social interaction with anyone outside the group they are with, even if they see other people they know, at all times during their visit.

Process for Test and Trace

In addition to the Club Booking system and the NHS Covid-19 app for tracing, we will be putting in place a process for how we would handle a case of someone testing positive. This process will be updated on the Website under the Rules and Policies section shortly. In summary, If any member or visitor reports a positive test then all people who attended the club (on the particular day(s) the infected member/visitor did) will be informed and anyone who played with the infected person (or came into close contact off-court) would be asked to self-isolate for 14 days. In addition, we would undertake cleansing of the key touch- points in the area (such as door handles, gate handles, benches, etc) where the individual with symptoms of, or confirmed Covid-19 has been.

Tennis Balls, Nets & Benches

Although not required under LTA and Government guidelines, we feel it is appropriate to recommend that wherever possible, you use your own tennis balls marked with your initials. Should you wish to continue to use the tennis balls provided by the club, you can do so but please sanitise the balls with the cleansing spray before and after use.
We recommend that you do not adjust the nets or touch the net handles. Should you do so, please ensure that you use the spray provided and sanitise the handles and any part of the net you have touched.

Should you make use of any of the benches, please use the spray provided and sanitise/clean the benches after use.

Reminders:

• Self-Assessment Check: Before leaving home to play tennis, all members and persons planning to visit the tennis club should undergo a self-assessment check for any COVID-19 symptoms. These symptoms include high temperature, continues cough or loss of taste or smell and anyone displaying these symptoms, or if anyone in the household displays such symptoms, then the member should remain at home and follow NHS and PHE guidance on self-isolation.

• You must continue to use the booking system to play tennis unless it is organised play. This is particularly the case for Social Tennis as you can no longer just turn up to play.

• The Summer House will continue to remain shut.

• Club Room and Toilet Access is limited to One In – One Out policy (except for Coaches that may need to accompany juniors) and remains open only for access to the Toilets, First Aid Kit, Defibrillator and Tennis Balls. No coffees or social gatherings are allowed in the Clubroom.

We continue to maintain the Tennis Club a safe place to play. However, we can only do this with your assistance. Given the rise in the number of cases, especially locally, please take extra care, maintain social distance at all times, avoid touching your face and wash your hands and sanitise regularly.

Let us keep the club safe so we can continue to enjoy playing tennis.

Tennis Committee