Club Closure due to Coronavirus supported by EIBA

Post date: Mar 18, 2020 6:33:26 PM

Today Wednesday March 18 the EIBA Ltd issued a statement in which they 'Strongly Advise' any club who has not already done so to close in the interests of their members and to support the Government's suppression phase in fighting Covid19 as we at Stamford have already done.

Within the statement they state that further information will be given shortly on a number of issues including the national summer competitions and indeed next season's winter ones.

Not only did the indoor national body, issue a statement so did the outdoor code, Bowls England, about its position outdoor which is that the National Championships, National Competitions and all its domestic events will not take place this summer due to the pandemic.

The full EIBA Ltd. statement reads as follows:

"With the Government and Public Health England having advised the Country that we are now in the ‘Suppression’ phase of the COVID-19 plan, the Board of Directors met today to discuss how this would affect its Member Clubs and Counties.

The EIBA are aware that over last couple of days of many Indoor Clubs have already made the decision to close permanently until the start of the new season (September 2020) or to temporarily suspend bowls and review the situation on a regular basis.

However, for those Clubs who have yet to make a decision and are waiting for guidance from the EIBA we wish to strongly advise that you suspend bowling and review on a regular basis or close the club until further notice.

With the age profile and the potential of underlying heath issues of bowlers, putting the majority of them in the ‘at risk’ category, the sport has a duty of care to lessen the chance of them contracting COVID-19.

The EIBA Board have also discussed and will be releasing statements, over the next few days, specifically on the following operational matters: -

• 2020-2021 National Competition entries

• 2020 Summer Competitions

• Re-scheduling of the 2019-2020 National Competition Finals

• The AGM scheduled for 16th May 2020

• EIBA Head Office

As always, the EIBA will be monitoring the situation and as and when appropriate, advise its Members and Indoor Bowlers of any actions which need to be taken."

Bowls England said:

"Bowls England has announced the cancellation of all its domestic events ahead of the 2020 lawn bowls season in response to the latest Government advice and growing concerns from bowlers about how the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak will impact lawn bowls.

The full text of Bowls England's statement can be read here