Updated Advice to GAA Handball Clubs and Counties in the 26 Counties – Sept 18th 2020
Following the publication of the Irish Government’s Plan for Living with Covid 19 document on Sept 15th, please note the following key updates for those involved in GAA Handball in the 26 Counties
The framework published by the government consists of five different levels. The lower levels of the framework will be activated when there is low incidence of the disease, with isolated outbreaks, low community transmission. The higher levels will be used to deal with higher incidences of the disease. It will be possible for different regions and counties to be at a different level to the National Level, depending on the incidence of the virus in that particular region or county.
At the moment the country is at Level 2 so the recommendations for Level 2 will apply. Should any county/region move to a different level then that county will be subject to the recommendations relevant to that level.
The following guidelines are all to be followed in accordance with the ongoing recommendations contained in the GAA Handball Safe Return to play document in relation to social distancing, sanitizing etc.
Training / Matches
All recommendations for the various levels are in conjunction with the control measures as per GAA Handball’s Return to Play Document in place (i.e. Health Questionnaires etc)
Level 1 - Normal training sessions / games with protective measures in place.
Level 2 - Outdoor training sessions /games in groups of no larger than 15 people.
Indoor - Training and games on a 1v1 basis, no more than 6 people indoors.
National, Provincial and County competitions permitted
Level 3 - Outdoor training sessions no more than 15 people allowed.
Indoor 1v1 training only Adult: Max 2 people. Juvenile: Max 4 people (2 players + 1 coach/parent each)
No competitive matches allowed.
Level 4 - Outdoor training sessions with protective measures in groups of no larger than 15 people. Indoor individual training only. No competitive matches allowed.
Level 5 - Outdoor and indoor individual training only. No competitive matches allowed.
Use of Dressing Rooms / Showers
The following applies to the use of dressing rooms/showers for each of the levels. All dressing rooms/showers when in use must be capable of social distancing and must have the appropriate signage and sanitizing equipment in place.
Level 1 – Open with social distancing
Level 2 – Dressing rooms / showers closed
Level 3 – Dressing rooms / showers closed
Level 4 – Dressing rooms / showers closed
Level 5 – Dressing rooms / showers closed
Attendances
** All attendances at GAA Handball matches are subject to the venue being able to accommodate social distancing and with the prior agreement of the venue**
The following limits apply at each of the levels. Before a venue can allow spectators in to watch games additional work will need to be conducted with our venues to determine indoor figures which take into account the size of the venue and the personnel available to the club to ensure social distancing and adherence to the recommendations can be enforced.
Level 1 – Up to 100** Spectators allowed provided social distancing can be maintained
Level 2 – Up to 50** Spectators allowed provided social distancing can be maintained
Level 3 – No matches/events to take place
Level 4 – No matches/events to take place
Level 5 – No matches/events to take place
** All attendances at GAA Handball matches are subject to the venue being able to accommodate social distancing and with the prior agreement of the venue**
The figures quoted above are in addition to players/venue officials.
A parent/guardian being allowed attend at underage games should be factored into the final figure (i.e. parents/guardians should be included in the final 50 or 100 figure).
Clubs in the Six Counties
An update will issue in due course following recommendations from the relevant bodies for clubs in the six counties.
GAA Handball Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19
The full Return to safe play document is available here
Click here for further information and support resources