Blackheath Squash Club - return to full squash from 17 May 2021

Message from the Blackheath Squash Club Committee

England Squash have confirmed that full squash can be played between members of different households from Monday 17 May. This is great news and we hope to see many of our members return to court. However there are still COVID 19 safety restrictions in place which members must respect.

The Club has been led by Government and England Squash requirements and putting the safety of our members first. The Club has made various changes to minimise risk to members but members themselves must take responsibility for behaving safely and complying with the Club's COVID guidelines. These guidelines, updated for the latest Government and England Squash advice, are attached to this e-mail; they will be available on the Club's website and on the notice board in the corridor. All members who wish to resume play must take the time to familiarise themselves with these guidelines.

Members must read and understand their new responsibilities in relation to keeping the Club safe before attending the Club and adhere to these responsibilities at all times whilst at the Club. To make a court booking Members must have read the guidance and by making a booking are agreeing to abide by the guidelines.

The headlines are set out below:

- full squash between members of different households allowed at the Club from Monday 17 May

- maximum number of players on court at any one time is 4

- non-member and visitors not allowed at Club except for coaching/training sessions

- courts must be booked using the on-line booking system and all players must be added to the booking for track and trace purposes

- no need to check-in using the check-in screen in the Pavilion Bar

- the court fans are to be turned on during and after play and the downstairs door is to be hooked open whilst members are using the Club to increase ventilation

- social distancing off court is to be observed at all times and face coverings are to be worn off court

- the maximum number of people allowed in the balcony area is 6

- the chairs and stools in the balcony area are not to be used (to reduce touch points and cleaning requirements)

- balcony windows must be opened if the balcony is in use and the balcony door hooked open to increase ventilation

- changing rooms are not to be used other than for access to WCs and avoiding passing others in the corridor.

- Members must turn up changed and ready to play. No items of clothing, kit, bags, bikes, scooters etc are to be left in the changing rooms.

- members must continue to hand sanitise on entry to the Club, wipe down touch points with wet wipes, dry mop the courts after play and not touch court walls

- booking slots will remain at 1 hour, play is for 40 minutes only, 5 minutes court cleaning and 15 minutes air clearance. Member MUST NOT PLAY FOR LONGER THAN 40 MINUTES.

We hope to restart some group activities although numbers will be restricted to comply with the relevant guidelines. For the time being we will not be running Club Night, Match Nights or Junior Coaching. Box leagues will re-commence in June after member annual renewals have taken place. Further information on annual renewals and box leagues will be sent out shortly.

If you have any questions regarding the above please raise them by replying to this e-mail

Blackheath Squash Committee