CURRENT STATUS – 20^TH MARCH 2020

Advice from each association

Clubs should please refer to the websites of their associations NIBA, NIPBA, NIPGBL, and BLI to get updates on all League, Cup and championship competitions of each association.

IBA competitions

Please find below a statement from the British Isles Bowls Council/British Isles Women’s Bowls Council regarding the cancellation of events.

In light of this decision, and it has been decided to postpone the Senior Inter-Association Championships which were to be hosted by the Bowling League of Ireland on 8th & 9th May 2020.

We will continue to monitor the situation and a decision will be made with regard to Junior Inter-Association Championships.

British Isles Bowls Council/British Isles Women’s Bowls Council

STATEMENT: BRITISH ISLES BOWLS EVENTS – 2020

Issued: 18^th March 2020

The British Isles Bowls Council (BIBC) and British Isles Women’s Bowls Council (BIWBC) have today announced their plans for the 2020 season in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

The following events have been cancelled with immediate effect:

• BIBC Senior International Series and Championships (Llandrindod Wells, Wales, from 25^th to 28^th June inclusive)
• BIWBC Senior International Series and Championships (Royal Leamington Spa, England, from 12^th to 16^th June inclusive)
• BIWBC Junior International Series and Championships (Llandrindod Wells, Wales, on 18^th and 19^th July)

It has been further agreed:

1. To seek alternative arrangements for the respective Junior and Senior Championships to be played at a later date (either in 2020 or 2021);
2. That a decision regarding the BIBC Junior International Series due to be held in Ayr, Scotland, on Saturday 12^th and Sunday 13^th September will be made at a later date and communicated to players and officials at the earliest opportunity

The BIBC and BIWBC stress that these decisions have not been taken lightly but have been made having given due consideration to all factors including Government guidance, current restrictions on travel for participating nations and, most importantly, the health of players, officials and supporters.

Notes:

The members of the BIBC are:

Bowls England; Irish Bowling Association; Bowls Guernsey; Bowls Jersey; Bowls Scotland; Welsh Bowling Association

The members of the BIWBC are:

Bowls England; Irish Women’s Bowling Association; Bowls Jersey; Bowls Scotland; Welsh Women’s Bowling Association

LATEST GOVERNMENT AND HEALTH ADVICE

There is a vast amount of information available regarding COVID-19, but the following websites contain regularly updated information both in the UK and ROI.

• www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/covid-19-coronavirus
  · www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus/coronavirus.html

DOWNLOADABLE POSTERS FOR YOUR CLUB

• Cough & Sneeze Poster
  · Hand Washing Technique with Soap & Water
  · Hand Hygiene using an Alcohol Rub

HYGIENE ETIQUETTE AROUND YOUR CLUB

Do:
· Wash your hands properly and regularly.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze.
· Put used tissues in the bin and wash your hands.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
· Sanitisation stations should be in use throughout all club areas. These should be set up with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser and disinfectant wipes. Note that the virus can survive for several days on suitable surfaces in suitable environments so surfaces and objects should be wiped down regularly with disinfectant/antiseptic.

Don’t:
· Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

WHAT IF SOMEONE AT MY CLUB SHOWS SYMPTOMS?

Anyone with suspected symptoms of Coronavirus should follow Government health advice and:

• Isolate themselves from other people – this means going into a different, well-ventilated room alone, with a phone.
  · Dial 111 in the UK or 112 in ROI to report your symptoms and seek advice.
  · In a medical emergency (if you have severe symptoms) dial 999.

Further updates will be made available as and when required.