Updated ECB Outdoor Recreational Cricket Guidance from Step 4 (19th July)

On Monday (19th July), we moved in to step 4 of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, and as such the ECB has now released updated guidance reflecting changes to outdoor recreational cricket guidance.

Firstly, please find attached two documents:

The updated guidance has been issued to reflect the Government’s removal and/or easing of most restrictions. However, the tone behind the ECB’s updated documents and the message we at Wiltshire Cricket very much want to convey to clubs is one of caution.

Whilst the game of Cricket itself remains a safe, socially distanced sport, we are also seeing the impact of Covid-19 and associated isolations in society being reflected within the cricket community. Therefore, with a spike in the number of cases and self-isolations we urge clubs and players to do all they can to continue to mitigate against risk in order to ensure we can keep the recreational game going throughout the remainder of the season. We are seeing a significant number of cricket clubs currently being affected by self-isolations and so without continuing to act really responsibly and with extra levels of caution we could see a really significant impact on the remainder of the season

Therefore, on top of the ECB documents, and to help clubs understand what they can do to act cautiously, Wiltshire Cricket would like to make the following recommendations to the recreational game in our county:

Sanitiser Breaks and minimising close contact – We recommend that players continue to sanitise their hands every 6 overs and minimise close contact throughout (before, during and after games)

Changing Rooms and Showers – We recommend that clubs should continue to operate very carefully with regards changing rooms by restricting numbers inside changing rooms at any one time to a maximum of 4 players, and also operating a one in one out policy for showers (* If your changing rooms are small, you may decide 4 is too high a number)

Face coverings – Whilst no longer required by law, they are recommended in crowded indoor settings. Therefore, for those moving around and queueing in indoor spaces, we advise masks continue to be worn.

Travel restrictions – where possible, we recommend minimising car sharing i.e. those sharing cars and the number of players in each car should be kept at a minimum

Free NHS lateral flow testing – These are available to cricket clubs and individuals and so Wiltshire Cricket and the ECB encourages clubs to utilise these free tests for their players. You can either visit a local centre to collect free lateral flow tests (find out more here; https://www.gov.uk/find-covid-19-lateral-flow-test-site) or you can order to your home (find out more here; https://www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests)

Finally, as has applied throughout, you as clubs should not feel under any undue pressure to move to the next steps of the Government’s roadmap and/or ECB’s guidance if you do not feel ready or equipped to do so. Continued good risk assessments and a spirit of respect and tolerance between clubs remains really important.