Extended Lockdown and Restrictions Update
In response to the extended stay at home orders and restrictions announced by the NSW Government, Bowls NSW Limited has provided updates on the following matters:
- Restrictions in place for people living in the Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong & Shellharbour Areas
- Restrictions in place for all other parts of NSW
- Changes to upcoming 2021 Events
Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong & Shellharbour Areas
The NSW Government and NSW Health have announced that the above-stated areas will remain under stay at home orders until 11.59 pm on Friday, 16 July.
Persons are only allowed to leave home for the following reasons:
- Shopping for food or other essential goods and services.
- Medical care or compassionate needs (people can leave home to have a COVID-19 vaccination unless you have been identified as a close contact).
- Exercise outdoors in groups of 10 or fewer.
- Essential work, or education, where you cannot work or study from home.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has reiterated in her update that NSW Government & Health are strongly urging people in the lockdown areas to minimise their mobility and movement outside of their home, to help eliminate this current wave of outbreaks.
The current Public Health Orders does not include an exemption for licensed premises to be open, except for the sale of takeaway food and beverages.
Community sports, including lawn bowls, are not permitted during this time.
Bowling Clubs, as licensed premises, have not been granted an exemption within these current Public Health Orders to be open and to allow members or public use of greens within the licensed premises.
Bowls NSW Limited strongly recommends that all formats of the sport cease for the period of the lockdown.
This includes social, competition (Club, Zone/District/Region & State), barefoot, practice and/or roll ups.
All other parts of NSW
The NSW Government and NSW Health have announced that all other parts of NSW will remain under current restrictions until 11.59 pm on Friday, 16 July.
These restrictions include:
- Visitors to households will be limited to 5 guests – including children.
- Masks will be compulsory in all indoor non-residential settings, including workplaces, and at organised outdoor events.
- Drinking while standing at indoor venues will not be allowed.
- Singing by audiences and choirs at indoor venues or by congregants at indoor places of worship will not be allowed.
- Dancing will not be allowed at indoor hospitality venues or nightclubs; however, dancing is allowed at weddings for the wedding party only (no more than 20 people).
- Dance and gym classes limited to 20 per class (masks must be worn).
- The one person per four square metre rules will be re-introduced for all indoor and outdoor settings, including weddings and funerals.
- Outdoor seated, ticketed events will be limited to 50 per cent seated capacity
People who have been in the Greater Sydney region (including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong) on or after June 21 should follow the stay-at-home orders for a period of 14 days after they left Greater Sydney.
People across NSW should only enter Greater Sydney for essential purposes.
Community Sports, including lawn bowls, are permitted.
Bowls NSW Limited advises that the wearing of masks whilst playing lawn bowls (outdoors) is NOT mandatory, however, may be required if specified within a club’s COVID Safe Plan.
It also recommends that clubs ensure that participants, where possible, are abiding by social distancing rules – this includes spectators and officials.
Participants are reminded that, as part of the new restrictions, persons must be wearing a mask in any indoor setting (except for when eating and/or drinking), be seated at all times and that clubs must now abide by the 1 person per 4 sq metre rule (both indoors and outdoors).
2021 Event Updates
Champion of Club Champion Singles Rescheduled
Bowls NSW Limited has postponed the 2021 Women’s Champion of Club Champion Singles (formerly run by WBNSW) originally set to be played between 20-23 July.
The rescheduled dates set for the 2021 Women’s Champion of Club Champion Singles are:
7th – 10th August, 2021
The event will still take place at Port City Bowling Club and Lake Cathie Bowling and Recreation Club.
Bowls NSW Limited would like to thank both host venues for their cooperation and support throughout this process.
It is never an easy decision to postpone an event, but the health and safety of our members is our highest priority, and Bowls NSW Limited will be working closely with both host venues to ensure that the event is run in a COVID Safe manner.
Draws for the event will be released in due course, and Bowls NSW Limited thanks all participants in advance for their cooperation and understanding.
Women’s State Championships Entry Closing Date Extended
Bowls NSW Limited has extended the entry closing date for the 2021 Women’s State Championships to Monday, 9th August 2021.
The State Championships are still set to run as scheduled between 23 August – 1 September at South Tamworth Bowling Club.
To download the updated entry forms, click here.
NSW Representative Test Series
Bowls NSW Limited will announce on Thursday, 8th July the representative Sides selected to participate in Test Series against Queensland and Victoria.
All Test Series are currently set to proceed as scheduled. Bowls NSW Limited is monitoring the situation closely in conjunction with other STA’s and in line with the latest State Government requirements for intrastate movement and interstate border restrictions.
Any decisions will be conveyed to all participants as soon as possible.
If you have any queries, please contact Bowls NSW Limited on 02 9283 4555 or 02 9267 7155.
For the circular CN07/2021 Extended Lockdown and Restrictions Update please click here
