Last Update - 19th January 2021
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Last Update – 19th January 2021
CONTENTS
1.0 Key Terms
2.0 Introduction
LAY
3.0 Background
4.0 Governing Our Return
5.0 Covid-19 Secure Procedures – BBL
6.0 Covid-19 Secure Procedures –
SECURE P
Basketball Parties
7.0 Covid-19 Secure Procedures - Venues
8.0 Positive Tests
9.0 Lockdowns/Regional or
National Restrictions
10.0 Covid-19 Officer Responsibilities
11.0 Other Information
COVID-19
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1.0 KEY TERMS FIBA - The International Basketball Federation, the world governing body for basketball. BBL - The British Basketball League which operates the men’s professional league in the United Kingdom. WBBL - The Women’s British Basketball League which operates the women’s professional league in the United Kingdom. Basketball Parties - All individuals that are involved in the operations of the sport including, Players, Coaches, Match Officials, and Club Staff Home Nation Governing Bodies (HNGB) - Basketball England, Basketball Scotland, and Basketball Wales Covid-19 Officer - An individual with designated responsibilities to ensure a Club complies with this guidance. Venue Specific Plan - A plan that must be prepared for each Venue that a Club/the BBL/WBBL stages a game from. Venue Operators - The owner/operators of the Venue that each game is staged from. Risk Assessment - A document that must be prepared and submitted to the BBL/WBBL showing how each Club has mitigated risks in relation to the transmission of Covid-19. Red Zone - A zone which must be specified in the Venue Specific Plan to incorporate the Locker Room, Playing Court, and access from one to the other. Yellow Zone - A zone which must be specified in the Venue Specific Plan to exclude the Red Zone, and to include access for Basketball Parties. Green Zone - A zone which must be specified in the Venue Specific Plan to exclude the Red and Yellow Zones, and to include access for Spectators when permitted. Must - Where this guidance specifies ‘Must’ all Basketball Parties must comply with the requirement. Should - Where this guidance specifies ‘Should’ all Basketball Parties must comply with the requirement where possible.
2.0 INTRODUCTION
Following on from the early curtailment of the 2019-20 BBL/WBBL season due to Covid-19 implications, both
leagues have returned to active competition.
Both organisations are committed to operating in the safest way possible and in full compliance with guidance
provided by UK Governments, FIBA (World Governing Body for Basketball) and other relevant bodies.
This document aims to provide information to the various stakeholders on the return to playing games in a
compliant and safe manner.
3.0 BACKGROUND
3.1 BBL/WBBL
Both leagues are fully owned by their member clubs.
The BBL/WBBL operate via a licence from the national governing body for the sport, the BBF (British Basketball
Federation).
The BBF’s members are the Home Nation Governing Bodies, being Basketball England, Basketball Scotland
& Basketball Wales. These bodies have responsibility for all other aspects of basketball in their respective
countries.
3.2 Clubs
All clubs are owned and operated independently of the League in which they participate.
The BBL consists of 11 clubs, based in England & Scotland:
Bristol Flyers Cheshire Phoenix
Glasgow Rocks Leicester Riders
London Lions Manchester Giants
Newcastle Eagles Plymouth Raiders
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks Surrey Scorchers
Worcester Wolves
The WBBL consists of 11 clubs, based in England, Scotland & Wales
BA London Lions Caledonia Pride
Cardiff Met Archers Durham Palatinates
Essex Rebels Leicester Riders
Manchester Met Mystics Newcastle Eagles
Nottingham Wildcats Oaklands Wolves
Sevenoaks Suns
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3.3 Covid-19
Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more
serious diseases such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
COVID-19 is the name for the disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus that has not been seen in
humans until now, which was first identified in 2019. The name is simply short for coronavirus disease 2019 and
was announced by the World Health Organization announced on the 11 February 2020.
Governments and health authorities around the world instigated social distancing requirements, quarantine
measures and limited travel to and from other countries, to slow the spread of the disease and to enable
health care systems to cope with the potential increased demands associated with managing the disease.
The BBL/WBBL community is fully committed to support these efforts
Most people who are infected have mild symptoms and some do not have any symptoms at all.
While the majority of those who become symptomatic can be managed at home, a minority who contract the
virus become unwell and may require hospitalisation. A small number require intensive care, some of whom
require breathing support through ventilation. These patients are more likely to have underlying conditions
such as cardiovascular disease, raised blood pressure chronic lung disease, or diabetes.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older
people and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.
However, anyone can spread the disease.
3.4 Variants
Coronaviruses regularly mutate and new strains are regularly identified. Any that are considered to have
potentially concerning properties are designated to be a Variant Under Investigation and, following risk
assessment, may be designated a Variant of Concern (VoC).
On 18 December 2020, a particular variant was designated as a VoC as, although there is no evidence that
this particular variant leads to more severe illness, it is more transmissible than the originally circulating variant.
In response to this, various workplaces and activities were placed into a National Lockdown, with Elite Sport
being permitted to continue. The stringent measures put into place in response to the original strain were
deemed by the UK Government to be sufficient to mitigate against the risks caused by this new variant.
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However, the BBL/WBBL has reacted to this new variant by
1. Reinforcing adherence to existing measures
2. Boosting the existing measures through increased usage of masks, and the introduction of asymptomatic
testing protocols.
3.5 Vaccines
The first coronavirus vaccines are becoming available now and vaccinations for the most at-risk groups have
begun.
Vaccination helps build immunity to the virus, so the infection is stopped more easily. This can reduce the risk
of becoming infected with coronavirus or make symptoms milder.
For further information on Covid-19 visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus
4.0 GOVERNING OUR RETURN
There are various bodies helping to govern our return to play and these bodies have differing levels of
responsibilities.
FIBA governs the sport of basketball worldwide and as such has produced basketball specific guidance for a
safe return to play. This guidance should be considered in conjunction with local legislation.
The UK government has produced UK specific guidance for sporting organisations to return to play.
At all times UK Government legislation applies, and in the event of a conflict with other sources of guidance,
UK Government legislation and guidance will take precedence.
Due to the evolving nature of the virus, the guidance is constantly changing and the BBL/WBBL is committed
to ensuring that it maintains an up to date position.
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4.1 UK Government
UK Government guidance dictates how BBL/WBBL and every other stakeholder involved in the delivery of our
sport operates.
All Stakeholders are required to follow this advice strictly to ensure we create as safe an environment as
possible for all involved.
Further information can be found on UK Government Guidance at:
England https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-
return-of-sport-and-recreation
Scotland https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-what-you-can-and-cannot-do/
pages/sport-culture-and-leisure/
Wales https://gov.wales/sport-recreation-and-leisure-guidance-phased-return-html
4.2 FIBA
FIBA has produced guidance primarily for use by National Basketball Federations and Basketball Leagues
who are looking for guidance in the restart of basketball in their jurisdiction, particularly if there is a lack of
Government oversight on the management of the COVID-19 virus in sport.
The BBF and the Home Nation Governing Bodies have incorporated FIBA’s guidance into their own guidance
where appropriate.
http://www.fiba.basketball/documents/restart-guidelines-for-national-federations-en
4.3 Basketball National Governing Bodies
With many of our clubs also operating teams outside of the BBL/WBBL Competition and undertaking other
basketball activities, any and all basketball activity will also be guided by their respective home nation
governing body guidance.
England https://www.basketballengland.co.uk/news/basketball-england-launch-return-to-play-
guidance/
Scotland http://basketballscotland.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GC-Indoors-28.8.2020.pdf
Wales https://basketball.wales/basketball-wales/basketball-wales-covid-19-hub/basketball-wales-clubs/
5.0 OUR RETURN
5.1 BBL/WBBL
A framework allowing Elite Sport to continue to play has been introduced across England, Scotland, and
Wales.
The Elite Sport framework has been fully adopted by the BBL/WBBL and compliance with all aspects of this
framework is mandatory for Clubs to be eligible to play.
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Before commencing play, each Club has been asked to submit and confirm their compliance with the
relevant Framework documents.
Each Club has also provided a number of risk assessments which the BBL will has reviewed against the Elite
Sport framework.
The BBL Board of Directors has responsibility for:
• Reviewing each Club’s risk assessments against this document and the Elite Sport framework.
• Liaising with each Club’s Covid-19 Officers to ensure that they are following the return to play guidance
as set out in the Elite Sport framework.
• Establishing a process where all BBL/WBBL stakeholders can request support and signposting in relation
to their Covid-19 duties
• Assisting the BBF and the HNGBs in education and training in relation to Covid-19 for all BBL/WBBL
stakeholders
• Advising any alleged breaches of the guidance to the relevant HNGB
• Reviewing changes in guidance from any of:
• UK Government
• FIBA
• BBF
• The Home Nation Governing Bodies
5.2 BBL/WBBL Staged Events (Finals)
The BBL/WBBL stages events (Finals) in different Home Nations; for these events the BBL will follow the Elite Sport
framework and that of the relevant HNGB.
5.3 Club Staged Events – Venues
All BBL/WBBL Clubs will follow the guidance of the Elite Sport framework and that of their HNGB in respect to
venues.
Our clubs play in venues that are controlled by a number of different Venue Operators and each Venue will
have their own re-opening procedures.
The Venue Operators are required to meet the requirements as set down by the relevant UK Government.
All Venues operate in the UK under a Licence issued by the Local Authority in which they’re located.
The Local Authority, along with other relevant agencies (police, fire service, ambulance, building authority
and first aid agency), are part of a forum called the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) which are required to
approve any plans venue plans in relation to their operation.
This will include the staging of games by our clubs with the associated return of spectators to these events
(when allowed). Detailed plans, incorporating Risk Assessments and Risk Mitigations, will be produced by the
venues (working in tandem with our clubs and the SAG) to ensure this is done in the safest way possible.
Informing the policies relating to spectator attendance will be the Sports Grounds Safety Authority
https://sgsa.org.uk/greenguide/
https://sgsa.org.uk/oversight-and-licensing-policy/
https://sgsa.org.uk/planning-for-social-distancing-guidance-published/
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6.0 PROTOCOLS FOR CLUBS RETURNING TO
PLAY
6.1 Preventing the Transmission of Covid-19
The BBL and WBBL are adopting a risk-based approach to managing
transmission.
At all times, if an individual is showing symptoms of Covid-19 they should
not be permitted access to the Venue.
6.1.1.
Home Team
a. Must check their temperature at least 6 hours before
the scheduled match time.
i. If temperature is above 37.5:
1. If they are showing other symptoms,
they must immediately self-isolate and
should not travel to the game
2. If they have no other symptoms, they
may travel to the game but must self-
isolate to do so.
b. Should travel to the venue separately with the
exception of players that are already in a household
bubble.
c. Must wear face masks to enter the venue
d. Must use hand sanitiser and have their temperature
checked on arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is below 37.5 the Player may
enter the Red Zone
ii. If temperature is above 37.5 the Player
must be taken to an Isolation room and
the Referee and Covid-19 Officer must be
informed
e. A disinfected locker room should be provided for
the Home Team
f. Playing kit should be donned in the disinfected
locker room
g. Should proceed from the locker room to the
court
h. Must have their own water bottle labelled with
their name
i. Players should wear masks from entering the
venue until they enter the court to warm
up. When the game commences players
should wear a disposable mask until they enter
the game for the first time. (Once in the game
they should not then wear their mask when
they return to the bench). The requirement is
reset at half time. New disposable masks
should be worn at the beginning of the
second half
j. Do not have to maintain physical
distancing during play but should have
socially distanced individual chairs for
team benches
k. Should use hand sanitiser regularly during
the game
l. At the end of the game should use hand
sanitiser when leaving the court
m. Should proceed immediately from the
court to the locker room. Should proceed
from the locker room to the exit
n. Must not wait after the game for
spectators
o. Playing kit should be collected and
placed in a disposable plastic bag.
6.1.2. Away Team
a. Must obtain and review the Venue
Specific Plan to enable appropriate
planning and to ensure their compliance
therewith. It should be noted that the
regulations of the venue are likely to
require the advance registration of the
travelling party (for test and trace
purposes).
b. Must check their temperature at least 6
hours before the scheduled match time.
i. If temperature is above 37.5, they
must not travel to the venue
1. If they are showing other
symptoms, they must
immediately self-isolate
and should not travel to
the game
2. If they have no other
symptoms, they may
travel to the game but
must self-isolate to do so.
c. Should travel to the venue separately
where possible with the exception of
players that are already in a household
bubble
d. Where teams must travel together must
use sanitiser before embarking on transport.
e. Must wear face masks if travelling as a
group
f. Should keep a distance of 1m if travelling
as a group
g. Must wear face masks to enter the venue
h. Must use hand sanitiser and have their
temperature checked on arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is below 37.5 thePlayer may enter the Red Zone
ii. If temperature is above 37.5 the Player must be taken to an Isolation room and the
Referee and Covid-19 Officer must be informed
i. A disinfected locker room should be provided for the Away Team
j. Playing kit should be donned in the disinfected locker room
k. Should proceed from the locker room to the court
l. Must have their own water bottle labelled with their name
m. Players should wear masks from entering the venue until they enter the court to warm up. When
the game commences players should wear a disposable mask until they enter the game for
the first time. (Once in the game they should not then wear their mask when they return to the
bench). The requirement is reset at half time.
n. New disposable masks should be worn at the beginning of the second halfn. Do not have to
maintain physical distancing during play but should have socially distanced individual chairs
for team benches
o. Should use hand sanitiser regularly during the game
p. At the end of the game should use hand sanitiser when leaving the court
q. Should proceed immediately from the court to the locker room.
r. Should proceed from the locker room to the exit
s. Must not wait after the game for spectators
t. Playing kit should be collected and placed in a disposable plastic bag.
6.1.3.
Referees
a. Must obtain and review the Venue Specific Plan to enable appropriate planning and to
ensure their compliance therewith. It should be noted that the regulations of the venue are
likely to require advance registration.
b. Must check their temperature at least 6 hours before the scheduled match time.
i. If temperature is above 37.5, they must not travel to the venue and should contact the
Officiating Supervisor to arrange a replacement
ii. If a replacement is unavailable then 2 Person Officiating should be adopted
c. Travel should be minimised avoiding carpooling and public transport where able. If having to
carpool, make sure:
• Share the transport with the same people each time
• Keep to small groups of people at any one time,
• Open Windows for ventilation and face away from each other,
• Clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning products
• Make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch
• Driver and passengers to wear a face covering
• Limit the time you spend at garages, petrol stations and motorway services
• Try to keep your distance from other people and if possible pay by contactless
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your hands often
• Always when exiting or re-entering your vehicle
d. Must wear face masks to enter the venue
e. Must use hand sanitiser and have their temperature checked on arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is below 37.5 the Referee may enter the Red Zone
ii. If temperature is above 37.5 the Referee must be taken to an Isolation room and Covid-19
Officer must be informed
1. If the Referee is showing other symptoms, they must be asked to leave the
venue and will be replaced
f. A disinfected locker room should be provided for the Match Officials
g. Referees should arrive on court 20 minutes before the game
h. Referees should ensure 1m distance when entering the court, during timeouts, and exiting the
court
11i. Do not have to maintain physical distancing during play
j. Must have their own water bottle labelled with their name. These water
bottles must be accessible and the safest place would be at a
designated spot on or near the table
k. Communication with other officials should be primarily non-verbal
(through the use of hand signals) and if required backed up with verbal
communication (talking loudly should be all that is needed).
6.1.4.
Table Officials and Statisticians
a. Must obtain and review the Venue Specific Plan to enable appropriate
planning and to ensure their compliance therewith. It should be noted
that the regulations of the venue are likely to require advance
registration.
b. Must check their temperature 6 hours before the scheduled match
time.
i. If temperature is above 37.5, they must not travel to the
venue and should contact the Officiating and/or Statistics
Supervisor to arrange a replacement
c. Travel should be minimised avoiding carpooling and public transport
where able. If having to carpool, make sure:
• Share the transport with the same people each time
• Keep to small groups of people at any one time, open
windows for ventilation and face away from each other,
• Clean your car between journeys using standard cleaning
products
• Make sure you clean door handles and other areas that
people may touch
• Driver and passengers to wear a face covering
• Limit the time you spend at garages, petrol stations and
motorway services
• Try to keep your distance from other people and if possible
pay by contactless
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or sanitise your
hands often
• Always when exiting or re-entering your vehicle
e. Must use hand sanitiser and have their temperature checked on
arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is below 37.5 the Official may enter the Red
Zone
ii. If temperature is above 37.5 the Official must be asked
to leave the venue and will be replaced
f. If appropriate a disinfected locker room should be provided
for the Match Officials. Belongings should be stored in the
locker room. No belongings should be taken to the Red Zone
g. Match Officials should arrive on court 40 minutes before the
game
h. Match Officials are mandated to wear facial coverings to
reduce infection risk.
i. Match Officials should ensure 1m distance when entering the
court, during play and exiting the court
j. Communication with other officials should be primarily non-
12verbal (through the use of hand signals) and if required backed up with
verbal communication (talking loudly should be all that is needed).
6.1.5.
Support Team
a. Must obtain and review the Venue Specific Plan to enable
appropriate planning and to ensure their compliance therewith.
It should be noted that the regulations of the venue are likely to
require advance registration.
b. Must wear masks upon entering the venue
c. Must use hand sanitiser and have their temperature checked on
arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is below 37.5 the Support Team may enter
the Red Zone
ii. If temperature is above 37.5 the Support Team may be
asked to leave the venue at the discretion of the venue
d. Should only enter the Red Zone where they have a specific
role
e. Must wear face masks and gloves
f. Face masks and gloves must be replaced after contact with a
player
g. If wearing visors, must be sanitised after contact with a player
6.1.6. Club Management (i.e. all staff associated with the Club other than
Players, Coaches, and Support Team)
a. Must obtain and review the Venue Specific Plan to enable
appropriate planning and to ensure their compliance therewith. It
should be noted that the regulations of the venue are likely to
require advance registration.
b. Must wear masks upon entering the venue
c. Must use hand sanitiser and have their temperature checked
on arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is below 37.5 the Individual may enter
the Yellow Zone
ii. If temperature is above 37.5 the Individual must be taken
to an Isolation room and the Referee and Covid-19
Officer must be informed
d. Must not enter the Red Zone, bar Match Promoters.
6.1.7.Announcers
a. Must obtain and review the Venue Specific Plan to enable
appropriate planning and to ensure their compliance therewith. It
should be noted that the regulations of the venue are likely to require
advance registration.
b. Must wear face masks upon entering the venue
c. Must use hand sanitiser and have their temperature checked
on arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is above 37.5 the Announcer may be refused
entrance at the discretion of the venue
d. Must not enter the Red Zone unless unavoidable
136.1.8. Entertainment
a. No entertainment should be scheduled
6.1.9. Officials’ Assessors
a. No in person Officials’ assessors are permitted.
6.1.10. Spectators - Home
a. May only enter the Green Zone when permitted
by UK Government legislation.
b. Must use hand sanitiser and have their
temperature checked on arrival at the venue
i. If temperature is above 37.5 the
spectator may be refused entrance
at the discretion of the venue
c. Must wear face masks upon entering the
venue
6.1.11. Spectators - Away
a. Away Team spectators are not permitted.
6.2 General Procedures
6.2.1. Hygiene
All Basketball Parties must avoid:
a. Spitting
b. Shouting
c. Wiping the ball with any element of
clothing or a towel
d. Licking their hands
e. Touching their mouthguard
f. Shaking hands
g. Giving high fives
h. Sharing any cups, food, towels or
clothing
i. Swapping shirts
6.2.2. Daily Health Monitoring
All Basketball Parties should record each day:
a. Their own body temperature
b. Any Covid-19 symptoms
c. Close contact with other individuals
For all club personnel, this is to be monitored by their
Covid-19 Officer.
147.0 VENUE CONSIDERATIONS
EXAMPLE ZONE LAYOUT - WILL VARY FOR EACH VENUE DEPENDING ON LAYOUT
Red Zone – locker room/changing areas. playing court and immediately surrounding area (i.e. for team
benches and scorer’s table – corridors/pathways leading from locker rooms to playing court)
Yellow Zone – areas for media, game promoter etc
Green Zone – entrance and spectator seating
7.1.1.
Venue Induction
a. Each Club is responsible for ensuring they make their Venue Specific Plans available to match
night attendees.
b. The venue plan should include:
i. Map of the relevant zones
ii. Venue specific protocols (including entry)
iii. Contact details for the Covid-19 Officer
c. Venues Specific Plan MUST be provided at least 5 days in advance of the match. Any failure
to do so should be reported to the BBL.
d. The Venue Specific Plan should be discussed in the match day briefing.
7.1.2.
Entrance
a. NHS Test and Trace requirements (i.e. QR code scanning, contact detail collection and/or any
other method in force) must be collected at the entrance
b. All individuals must have their temperature taken on arrival at the venue
c. All individuals must respond to any screening questions
d. Clubs should endeavour to speed up the arrival process by preparing information on individuals
that regularly visit the venue (but at all times must comply with the Data Protection Act 2018).e. Doors should remain open as far as possible to reduce contact surface
touching.
7.1.3.
Locker Room
a. Must contain sanitisation equipment including hand sanitiser
b. Should be large enough to allow 1m distance between individuals
c. Must be disinfected prior to and after the game
d. Should ensure there are sufficient locker rooms to ensure belongings can
be securely stored by all parties that will be accessing the Red Zone
7.1.4. Isolation Room
a. Must have a designated physical space forisolation.
7.1.5.
Red Zone
a. The Red Zone consists of:
a. The Playing Court
b. Locker Rooms
c. Corridors from Locker Rooms to the Playing Court
b. Access is limited to the following:
a. Home Team x 30
b. Away Team x 20
c. Officials x 8 (Referees, Table Officials & Statisticians)
d. For games being produced for TV, such additional personnel
required to facilitate the production, as agreed between BBL
and the production company and the home club.
7.1.6.
Playing Court
a. Must regularly sanitise the match ball – ball wipers should be utilised
for this not Table Officials or Statisticians
b. Should have a one-way system to enter and exit
c. Should have individual chairs for team benches
d. Should locate team benches away from the Scorer’s Table
e. The Scorer’s Table must be sanitised before the match, and at half
time.
7.1.7.
Yellow Zone
a. The Yellow Zone is a separate area that must be defined by each
venue based on its layout.
b. Access to the Yellow Zone is only allowed by individuals that have
had a temperature check which reads below 37.5.
c. The maximum capacity for the Yellow Zone is 20, 5 of which must be
reserved for the Away Club.
d. Access is limited to essential game day personnel. Each Club must
define who they will allow to access the Yellow Zone in their venue
plan.
e. Examples of personnel expected to be permitted access to the
Yellow Zone;
i. Broadcast/TV
1. Camera operators
2. Production team
3. Engineer/tech
16ii. Home Club
1. Owner
2. General manager
3. Communications media/PR staff
iii. Away Club
1. Owner
2. General manager
3. Communications media/PR staff
iv. Media
1. Journalists
v. Venue
1. Venue manager
2. First aid staff
f. Team (players listed on scoresheet)Players not listed on the
scoresheet may not enter the Red Zone. Maximum of 12. When
spectators are allowed to return, players, coaching team and
team followers not involved may enter the Yellow Zone.
7.1.8. Green Zone
All other individuals must only access the Green Zone.
8.0 POSITIVE TESTS
1. Testing Positive – before a fixture
a. If an individual tests positive for Covid-19 before a fixture, they
should immediately notify the Covid-19 Officer of the Club and
the BBL/WBBL.
b. The individual should self-isolate in line with UK
Government Guidance.
C. Individuals that they have been in close contact with should also
self-isolate in line with UK Government
Guidance, seeking a test if they show symptoms.
2. Unable to fulfil a fixture due to Covid-19
a. Where this isolation period means that a Club will
be unable to fulfil a fixture, due to players being in self
isolation, they must immediately notify the BBL.
b. For games taking place in the knock-out competitions
(Cup, Trophy or Play-off), other than for the Final, the
game will be awarded 20-0 to the opponents.
i. For the Cup Final, Trophy Final or Play-off Final,
in the event that a Club is unable to field a team due to
players being in self isolation as a result of Covid-19, their
place will be taken by the club that they beat in the
semi-final round of the same competition.
c. For games taking place in the Championship, other than in the
final 14 days of the scheduled Championship season, the BBL /
WBBL will attempt to reschedule the fixture
i. If the fixture is scheduled to take place in the final 14 days
of the Championship season, or at any other stage when
17it cannot be reasonably rescheduled in the opinion of the BBL/WBBL, the game
shall be awarded 20-0 to the opponents.
3.
Testing Positive – after a fixture
a. If an individual tests positive for Covid-19 after having attended a fixture, they must
immediately notify the Covid-19 Officer of the both their own and opposing team and
the BBL/WBBL.
b. The individual should self-isolate in line with UK Government Guidance
c. Individuals that they have been in close contact with should also self-isolate in line with
UK Government Guidance.
4.
Displaying Symptoms
a. If a Club has a number of individuals, who are displaying symptoms but are awaiting
either a test or test result, and as such are unable to fulfil a fixture, the procedures set
down under 8.2 above will apply.
9.0 LOCKDOWNS/REGIONAL OR NATIONAL RESTRICTIONS
A number of lockdowns have occurred with varying level of restrictions put in place.
By their very nature, lockdowns are very difficult to predict and their duration is generally unknown (with
lockdowns generally only eased when the rate of positive cases in the area drops below what government
considers an appropriate level).
Fixtures taking place in areas under lockdown will proceed unless government guidance precludes.
Should restrictions preclude a fixture taking place, the BBL/WBBL will determine the most appropriate outcome,
in consultation with the impacted clubs. In doing so BBL/WBBL will apply the overarching principles as set
down in BBL/WBBL Rules with the aim of achieving the best outcome for all the stakeholders impacted.
BBL Operating Rule 21.13 / WBBL Operating Rule 9.9 (extract – part)
It is the intention of the BBL/WBBL that any scheduled match should take place and all parties should exhaust
all possibilities to ensure that this is achieved.
In considering a situation those involved must take into account commercial as well as playing considerations.
Due concern must be given to the needs of all parties to the game including spectators, sponsors and the
media as well as teams.
In order to reach a determination, the BBL/WBBL to consider outcomes including but not limited too:
Change of venue
Change of date
Sharing of points
Forfeit of fixture
10.0 COVID-19 OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES
a. Each Club must have a dedicated Covid-19 Officer
b. The name of the COVID-19 Officer must be registered with the BBL/WBBL. Any changes to the
registered individual should be notified to the BBL/WBBL within 24 hours of the change being
18made.
c. Key responsibilities:
• Ensuring the club is compliant with BBL/WBBL
COVID-19 Guidance and completing a COVID-19
Club Submission to confirm compliance.
• Ensuring a COVID-19 Risk Assessment and Mitigation
Plan is prepared for training, playing and spectators.
• Ensuring Venue Specific Plans have been prepared
for each Home Venue the Club uses.
• Ensuring a COVID-19 Contingency Plan is prepared
to demonstrate how the Club will comply with
requirements in the event that a local lockdown is
announced.
• Ensuring a COVID-19 Education Plan is prepared
which should have an emphasis on the
maintenance of strict and frequent personal
hygiene measures, particularly handwashing.
• Ensuring all Club Plans are regularly reviewed and
updated.
• Attending BBL/WBBL Covid-19 Update Events
where required.
• Ensuring information received from the BBL/
WBBL/HNGB is disseminated to all individuals
within the Club.
• Acting as a point of contact in relation to
COVID-19 contact-tracing.
• Attending Home fixtures.
d. Ensuring that match day Covid-19 responsibilities
are delegated to and fulfilled by an individual
who is not named on the scoresheet11.0 OTHER 11.1 Covid-19 Information NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ PHE https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england WHO https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 ICO COVID-19 Data holding https://ico.org.uk/global/data-protection-and-coronavirus-information-hub/coronavirus-recovery-data- protection-advice-for-organisations/ NHS Testing and tracing https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/testing-and-tracing/ 11.2 Hygiene Information WHO https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019 advice-for-public NHS hand washing https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/ Use of masks https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1435 11.3 Social Distancing NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/social-distancing/what-you-need-to- do/ PHE https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/03/04/coronavirus-covid-19-what-is-social- distancing/ ISOLATION INFORMATION PHE https://publichealthmatters.blog.gov.uk/2020/02/20/what-is-self-isolation-and-why-is-it- important/ 11.4 Mental Health Support Mind.org https://www.mind.org.uk/coronavirus-we-are-here-for-you/ HSENI – Wellbeing at work https://www.hseni.gov.uk/topic/mental-well-being-work
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