Following recent rises in the rate of infections for COVID-19 in NI, the NI Executive announced yesterday some amendments to its restrictions.  The announcement has understandably raised some queries from our clubs.  The amendments that will come into effect from next week are:

• A reduction to the number that can meet indoors to six people from two households.
• A reduction to the number of people that can participate in an outdoor gathering, including in a private garden, from the current 30 people to 15

The NI Executive has confirmed that certain events can have more than 15 people attending as long as a risk assessment is carried out and the necessary measures are put in place.  This will include weddings, church services and sporting events where a close adherence to social distancing and hygiene regimes continues to apply.

We take this opportunity to remind clubs to continue to adhere to your own club risk assessment and follow the Cricket Ireland Return to Play protocols that have already been issued to all clubs.  Please ensure you continue to follow social distancing, hygiene and contact tracing processes.

The Department for Communities has also called on Governing Bodies and Sports Clubs to 'TRAIN SMART, PLAY SMART, BE COVID SMART'. We have attached a letter from Kathryn Hill, sent on behalf of the Department for Communities.  Please take time to read this message and share with your club members.  As the DfC message outlines "we have a collective responsibility to overcome the challenge that is affecting us all.  IF WE DON'T ADHERE TO PUBLIC HEATH GUIDANCE OUR SPORT WILL STOP.  The Department wants to address and provide reassurance to sporting communities that they can continue to participate in sport – providing they adhere to the up to date public health guidance".

Cricket Clubs in the NCU region have worked hard to comply with the public health guidance and implement your club risk assessments and return to play protocols to enable cricket activities to take place this summer.  It is vitally important that we continue to maintain our strict protocols and adhere to government guidelines. We all have a role to play to ensure we can continue our sporting activities and safeguard the health of the general public.

Letter from DfC to sporting organisations