Protocol for croquet play during the Coronavirus pandemic - May 2020
Objective To assist member clubs in the creation of a safety protocol for croquet play across Canada designed to permit the enjoyment, exercise and social interaction inherent in the game of croquet while minimizing the risk of Covid-19 virus infection.
Background: (for those regulatory agencies unfamiliar with the game) The game of croquet is played outdoors on a standard green grass lawn which typically measures 28 by 35 yards. (25.6/32m.) It is a game played at a stand still while shooting, and a walking pace to retrieve balls. There is minimal risk to infectious particles from high energy activity. This is not a team sport.
Two to four people play in a 90 minute to 2 hour game, with only two persons occupying the court at any time. The only items of equipment that are touched during the progress of the game are personal to the player. The exception would be croquet balls which can be retrieved and placed in position using the player’s feet, thus avoiding touching. In short, it is an ideal sport for safe, distanced playing while providing important exercise to players, many of whom are seniors.
The following is designed as guidance for a club to provide a safe environment for their members and the community but is not comprehensive. It is expected that each club will adapt and expand on these suggestions for its particular situation and to meet local health regulations.
Considerations: 1. How to maintain a safe environment at the croquet club, while playing and using club facilities. 2. How to manage the handling of equipment for play in a safe way to avoid virus infection. 3. How to schedule play to maximize safety for players and minimize personal interaction. 4. How to use facilities at the club (washrooms, kitchens etc) safely.
Disclaimer: The following guidelines are offered with the understanding that Croquet Canada does not possess medical or scientific expertise or knowledge but is using established advice from Federal, Provincial and local Government and Public Health Authority guidelines and directives which should be used as the final authority when developing local club safety protocol.
Introduction The Safety Protocol is offered to assist in the gradual reopening of facilities. Further information will be sent to members and member clubs as government and public health units remove restrictions on activity and physical distancing.
Insurance and Liability Insurance held by Croquet Canada for the protection of members and their clubs is currently being reviewed to maximize coverage, protect officers and governors, and provide appropriate liability coverage. Some insurance providers are insisting on a Covid-19 rider to the policy excluding coverage for those who fall sick from the virus. Croquet Canada recommends strongly that each club require all players to sign a waiver of liability with specific reference to Covid-19 before they enter the club premises. Clubs should also review their own insurance to ensure appropriate coverage.
The above mentioned waiver should include a statement by the player confirming that he/she is free from Covid-19 symptoms, is healthy to play, will examine their health prior to each visit to the club for symptoms, and if ill, will not come to the club.
The player will also affirm on the waiver that he/she will adhere to all safety protocols established by the club to maintain the health and safety of themselves and their fellow players.
Safety To keep players safe, clubs need to: • Educate members on proper hand washing and hygiene techniques. • Make available sanitizing gel wipes, soap and disposable paper towels for frequent and easy cleaning of hands and equipment. • Ensure hand washing signage is present at all hand washing stations. It is recommended that players wash their hands frequently rather than wear gloves which might carry infection. • Ask players to wear a mask to protect themselves and others, and especially when using a washroom or inside facility. • Ask players to examine their health, and, if they have any doubts about their health, or possible exposure to the Covid-19 virus, stay away from the club and other members. • Require players to report any failure to maintain safety standards to a club executive who can take steps to correct the problem. Getting to the club and lawns • Advise players not to travel to the club with others. Experts who have observed the nature of infection of this virus note that there is an enhanced risk when time is spent with an infected person in a contained space. Therefore, players should travel to the club on their own, either walking, biking, or driving. The club property should be restricted to members and maintenance staff only. • Ensure that all club members are aware of the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and avoid traveling to the club if they show any symptoms.
Club Operations - Preparing and opening facilities Clubs will need to determine if the following safety measures can be implemented and followed. If not, then the club should consider whether or not the clubhouse can be safely opened. At all times, the guidelines and legislations of Provincial and local Public Health Authorities must be respected and will take precedence over these recommendations.
The Clubhouse • Eliminate the virus on surfaces through the use of soap and water and sanitizing gel and wipes for hands and equipment. • Minimize the number of persons in the clubhouse at any one time, each person keeping proper distancing. • Wash hands carefully after unlocking the facility, opening doors, turning on lights etc. • Wash hands before and after handling game equipment, door handles, light switches or other surfaces. • Place signage by all entrances and storage facilities outlining the physical distancing guidelines in place, as well as hand-washing recommendations/protocols. • Disinfect all surfaces and materials before and after use. • Turn off all water fountains. Players should bring their own water.
Facilities: (if permitted to be open by local health authorities)
Kitchen • Limit use of the kitchen to one person who can prepare refreshments as needed. • Minimize touching of surfaces. Players should use paper towels to touch handles and light switches. • Use disposable cups, plates and cutlery to eliminate the need for clean up or sharing. • After each use, disinfect all surfaces with sterilizing wipes and wash non-disposable cutlery and cups in soapy water. • Provide sanitizing wipes and gel for members using the kitchen, outside areas, equipment rooms and in washrooms. • Where feasible, players should take their own waste home with them. If the above protocols are not adhered to by members, clubs should close the kitchen area and require all refreshments or food to be brought in by each member.
Washrooms • Limit the washroom use to one person at a time. • Post signage to indicate when the washroom is occupied. • Post a clean-up protocol in each washroom to be followed by every user. • Upon completion of the cleanup, users must wash hands carefully and use paper towels to close faucets, turn off lights, and open and close doors. Court setup and tear down • Limit equipment setup and tear down to as few persons as possible who will observe proper distancing at all times. Cleaning equipment • Between games, clean club mallets, clips, boards and balls, and any other items to be reused, in a designated location where there is easily available soap, water and disinfectant wipes. • At the end of play each day, wash or disinfect all equipment including wickets, string storage wheels and hammers then store in a designated location which will contain only equipment which has been cleaned. Only clean equipment should be stored and used for play.
Scheduling of Games To ensure that players don’t congregate at the club in numbers that threaten their health, clubs should: • Limit players to four people per game, with only two players on the lawn at a time. • Maintain a two meter distance between players at all times. • Limit touching of equipment during play to player’s own mallet, clips and ball. Players are encouraged to use their feet and mallets to lift balls from gutters or position them for play. • It is recommended that no tournaments or competitions that involve more than 4 persons per lawn take place until health restrictions are lifted and it is safe to do so. General Rules for players • Book a game, date, and time in advance with the club. Do not just show up and expect to play. • Arrive no more than 5 minutes before your scheduled time, and leave promptly when you are finished. • Practice physical distancing by staying a minimum of two meters (6 feet) away from each other at all times. • Use your own mallet where possible. If you do not own your own mallet, you must follow the posted safety protocols for using club mallets. • Do not share equipment. • Do not shake hands or touch other people. • Do not bring visitors or other non-players with you to the club. • Do not loiter in the parking lot or at the club before or after you have finished playing. • Bring your own water and refreshments. • Take home your own waste material where possible. • If you are feeling unwell, regardless of the symptoms, stay home.
The impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus is affecting all aspects of our lives, and this includes our beloved sport of Croquet.
All clubs are shut down under emergency declarations by municipal and provincial authorities. This applies to private as well as public facilities.
This raises a number of questions that we at Croquet Canada, and the executives at clubs across the country are attempting to answer. We are looking for direction from various levels of government centered around possible easing of restrictions and beginning of play.
What has become clear in recent days is that this pandemic and its impact on Canada, will be felt for weeks if not months to come. It is increasingly unlikely that facilities will open soon. They may be closed for the entire season. We urge you to contact your local clubs for advice on regional conditions and possible opening dates for this season.
The Board of Croquet Canada, after consultation with various organizations and health authorities, and in consideration of the pandemic and its progress, has decided that Croquet Canada will not be sanctioning any tournaments for the 2020 season. Local clubs may be able to mount tournaments later in the season if facilities are opened, but their tournaments will of necessity be local or regional since long distance travel will likely be among the last of the restrictions to be relaxed.
In consideration of the financial distress the pandemic has caused many of our members, Croquet Canada will be waiving membership and club fees for the season. Clubs should ensure that Croquet Canada has up-to-date membership lists including new members, so that when play does resume, all players receive membership benefits including insurance coverage.
Across the country, clubs are struggling to pay the ongoing cost of lawn and facility maintenance, even during this period when play is suspended. We urge members who are able, to continue providing their local clubs with financial support through their membership dues or donations. We wish all members good health and we look forward to the opening of croquet clubs across the country when it is safe to do so. Jim Wright President, Croquet Canada Croquet.ca
Croquet Canada Introduces New Website - May 1st, 2019
Croquet Canada today May 1, 2019, introduced a new website for use by the public and members.
Its style and information has been updated, and the new site features a membership portal which is password protected.
This membership section of the new website offers specialized information of interest to members, including insurance benefits, committee and board of director lists, contacts, meeting dates and tournament information.
The public site features information for the experienced or beginner player, news about clubs, contact information and much more.
The new website is a work in progress and will be updated regularly with breaking news, tournament results, and lots of pictures of people across Canada enjoying the game of Croquet.”