Having instructed golf courses and facilities to close in late March, Golf Australia has now taken the opportunity to release a further update on its COVID-19 position following nearly a month of lockdown restrictions.
Australia has quite a small population relative to its size, with much of the country being quite rural, and this has helped to contribute to an effective containment of the Coronavirus so far, with just over 6,000 confirmed cases and 63 deaths.
The statement reads:
Golf Australia’s focus during the COVID-19 pandemic will always be the wellbeing of the broader community.
Combined with our enduring responsibility for our clubs, their staff and all Australian golfers, we remain comfortable that our position recommending that clubs close has been appropriate to this point.
But, acknowledging the long challenge that lies ahead of all Australians during this pandemic, we have been encouraged to see golf played in comparative safety in five states and one territory in recent weeks as we all adopt social distancing necessities.
Under strict and specific safety protocols – enforced by state and territory guidelines as well as individual club rules – Golf Australia is now satisfied that golf can be played at minimal risk. Having worked collaboratively with our clubs and other stakeholders, we are now comfortable to alter our position and encourage courses to open and for people to play.
As well as social distancing, these safety protocols include keeping gloves on and not touching hands with playing partners, not sharing carts, leaving flags in, reducing hole depth, greater times between groups, not exchanging cards, not using bunker rakes and maintaining personal hygiene.
The ability to play currently does not apply to those in Victoria and the Northern Territory where golf remains prohibited under local laws. As ever, Golf Australia will continue constructive dialogue and advocacy for golfers with these governments.
It is important to note that Golf Australia may again alter our position depending on the changing requirements of governments (Federal, state and territory) as the COVID-19 crisis unfolds.
Following this, news also came from the state of Wisconsin in the US that their golf courses will be reopening for play from next Friday 24th April providing social distancing rules are met, marking a surprising U-Turn from Governor Tony Evers having declared that they were to stay closed little over a week ago.
However this can serve as some encouragement for the wider golfing community, as it suggests further evidence of a slow move back towards some form of normality. Whilst it is of course still important to adhere to social distancing guidelines in order to keep the risk of spreading infection at a minumum, it is still a promising step in the right direction regardless and perhaps indicates that there is light at the end of the tunnel for golfers all over the world.
What are your thoughts? Should golf courses be allowed to remain open during this time? Let us know below!
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