This is the twelfth update that the PE Board has issued during the COVID-19 epidemic and it responds to the latest changes to Government Guidance which have brought in a revised ‘Tier’ system of geographical restrictions.
General provisions
The new tiered system will come into operation from the beginning of Wednesday 2nd December, at 00.01 am.
The key point to understand for our members is that regardless of the tier in which your area is placed, our players, clubs and leagues can begin playing again and we are lifting the suspension of formal play that came into operation on 5th November.
There are no restrictions on the number of players that can gather outside to play our sport at club venues, but the numbers that can be safely accommodated should be subject to a risk assessment. Our clubs/venues can apply the risk assessments that were in place prior to the 5th November lockdown, unless circumstances have changed.
Our Play Safe Guidelines fully apply once again in terms of recommended practices and measures to ensure that everybody’s safety is maximised. It is recommended that our members refamiliarise themselves with those Guidelines before formal play starts again.
Specific provisions
While there are no restrictions on numbers gathering to play in any of the three tiers subject to risk assessments and observance of our Play Safe Guidelines, we would draw to our members’ attention the following:
Tier 1
If our clubs have hospitality premises linked to them (this includes clubhouses, social clubs and pubs) then players are allowed to go inside and sit at a table comprising no more than six people. The same rule applies outdoors in that you must not socialise in groups of more than six people. Note that there is a difference here between ‘socialise’ and ‘play’. It is possible to play with/against more than 6 players in a league or tournament in any single day/visit, but ‘off-pitch’ socialising must observe the rule of six. Spectators are allowed as long as the risk assessment for the venue determines that they can attend safely. It is possible to travel from a Tier 1 area to play our sport in a Tier 2 area (as long as the rules for that area are followed) but travel to or overnight stays to a Tier 3 area should be avoided.
Tier 2
With linked hospitality premises here, players are allowed to go inside but only sit at a table with members of their own household or ‘bubble’. Alcohol can only be consumed as part of a substantial meal. As in Tier 1, outdoors you must not socialise in groups of more than six people. Equally, as in Tier 1 you can play with/against more than 6 players in a league or tournament in any single day/visit, but ‘off-pitch’ socialising must observe the rule of six. Spectators are allowed as long as the risk assessment for the venue determines that they can attend safely. It is also possible here to travel from a Tier 2 area to another Tier 2 are or Tier 1 area (as long as the respective rules for each area are followed) but travel to or overnight stays to a Tier 3 area should be avoided.
Tier 3
This highest restriction tier does not allow higher-risk contact sports, but this does not apply to our sport which is non-contact. Linked hospitality premises must be closed but can offer a takeaway service. This means that takeaway refreshments offered at clubs/venues are possible.
As with Tiers 1 and 2, it is possible to play with/against more than six people, but the rule of 6 applies off-pitch. The Government guidelines state that there should be no public attendance at spectator sport.
Players resident in a Tier 3 area can travel to and play at venues within their area but should reduce the numbers of journeys where possible. However, all players resident in Tier 3 should avoid travelling to any other area in the UK (including other Tier 3 areas) or staying overnight.
For further information on the tiered restrictions, please visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know
We wish all of our members a safe return to play and look forward to 2021 where we hope to see a transition towards even more normalisation of play as the COVID-19 vaccinations take place.
6 comments
Ayjay
29th November 2020 at 9:57 pm
Hi Martin, Thank you for your work in keeping us informed on the updates. Can you please clarify what is meant by:” As with Tiers 1 and 2, it is possible to play with/against more than six people, but the rule of 6 applies off-pitch”.
Martin Hughes
29th November 2020 at 10:28 pm
Hi Ayjay, we were trying to underline that it is possible to gather on a pitch with more than six players during the course of an event/competition (subject to our Play Safe Guidelines) but off pitch whilst not playing any gathering should not exceed 6 people while you are at the venue.
Sheila king
30th November 2020 at 1:43 pm
Martin I’ve only written this for info. Although in Kent we will be in tier 3,
We will not be able to play as there will be no toilet facilities. Our clubhouse does not serve food so they will not be open.
It is sad as our piste could be played on quite safely with adhering to the rules
We provide all hygiene products necessary to keep safe and have woods nearby ( the men would be fine!!). Unfortunately, Can’t see anyway round this. I’m sure there are other clubs in this situation.
Martin Hughes
30th November 2020 at 5:05 pm
Hi Sheila,
There is a lack of clarity on the use of toilet facilities at sporting facilities in Tier 3. For example, certain indoor facilities can remain open at outdoor entertainment venues like zoo and safari parks. Here, toilets, indoor shops and through-ways can remain open. Our President has established good contacts that might help clarify the situation and I’ll ask him to take up this point on your behalf to see if there is the possibility of keeping toilet facilities open.
Robert Palmer
4th December 2020 at 2:34 pm
Stockton Fox Petanque club is within the CoVID-19 Tier 2 zone around City of York. However, the club attracts members from within about a 10 mile radius of the club’s terrains. So some members, although living less than 5 miles away, are within the East Yorkshire Tier 3 zone. How do you interpret the rules for members living in a Tier 3 area but wanting to continue playing in organised games at their club, which is in a Tier 2 zone?
Martin Hughes
3rd January 2021 at 12:48 pm
Robert, our advice is as follows: “In tiers 1-3 you can travel within your area to pétanque venues and facilities which are open. The government advises against travel into or out of Tier 3 areas, unless this is necessary to enable individual exercise. You should not travel into or out of a Tier 3 area for participation in organised pétanque.”