During the last 24 hours, several updates have been provided by both the Federal and State Governments concerning the closure of non-essential facilities.
COVID-19 or the Coronavirus as it is more commonly known, has created global health concerns regarding the disease and its infection rates.
As you have probably seen and read in media reports, certain facilities will be forced to close from midday today, March 23rd, 2020.
These facilities include clubs, pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes (dining in), cinemas, casinos, places of worship gyms and indoor sporting venues.
While golf clubhouse operations must be closed for normal business, golfing activities can and should continue.
By its nature, golf promotes a level of social distancing, and while this must be adhered to, golf is a lower risk sport than many others.
Golf NSW Staff are currently working from home until Friday, April 3rd, and if there is any change to this date, we will advise all clubs and districts as soon as possible.
The team is all still contactable via regular means such as phone and e-mail, and our reception phone will be diverted to ensure all incoming calls are answered.
Golfers, of course, should exhibit a heightened awareness of personal hygiene and adhere to social distancing guidelines, which are being encouraged by state and federal health departments.
Golf clubs and facilities are often heavily trafficked, and there is a chance that a member, guest or member of your staff will be exposed to, or test positive to COVID-19.
Member, Guest and Staff health advice
It is vital that if a member, guest or staff member tests positive to COVID-19, they must inform the club/facility as soon as possible.
If this has occurred, anyone testing positive will be contacted by the State Department of Health in relation to contact tracing.
You should then take advice on ongoing facility operations from your State/Territory Department of Health.
Clubs should continue to review operational plans to ensure compliance with the current federal and State guidelines with dealing with the pandemic.
Examples of this include:
- Removing ‘Shotgun’ and ‘Two-Tee’ Starts to reduce peak service loads across the course
- Creating larger gaps in between groups on the tee sheet
- Increasing use of ‘Catering Carts’ to minimise the requirement for Clubhouse use
- Limiting the use of golf carts to one cart per person.
It will continue to be vital for boards and management to review contingencies to plan for club operations to change should public information change.
Practices across your facility should display heightened regard for the sanitation of surfaces, of which your cleaning chemical provider will be able to advise on.
Staff and volunteers should exhibit a heightened awareness of personal hygiene as has been encouraged by state and federal health departments.
The COVID-19 virus and potential implications are changing constantly, and we will continue to monitor accordingly as well as provide updates to clubs and facilities as regularly as needed. Golf NSW recommends you monitor the following sites frequently:
For further information relating to club operations and staffing, please go to the link below from Clubs NSW:
For further information from the Federal Government on COVID-19, the Coronavirus Health Information Line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080.
