COVID-19NewsPlay Safe Guidelines valid from 29.3.21

We’re back after a long period where we couldn’t play our sport.

After looking at all the latest information from our Government, some of which only appeared over the past couple of days, the PE Board is now able to issue our updated Play Safe Guidelines. These apply from Monday 29th March as the Government’s Step 1b starts. We will issue further updates as we progress to the next steps in the Government’s plans to ease restrictions.

Key points in our Guidelines:

• Only formally organised pétanque can take place between more than six players or two households;
• To qualify as formally organised, our Play Safe Guidelines must be followed and venue risk assessments must be carried out;
• Subject to a risk assessment confirming that there is sufficient space to maintain social distancing, the numbers allowed at a venue can be as many as can be safely accommodated;
• Club play, leagues, competitions are all allowed to take place if formally organised;
• Toilet facilities, even if they are inside, can be open, but always be aware that the there is much higher transmission of the virus indoors;
• You can travel to play in organised pétanque activities in England but you cannot stay overnight;
• Only players, officials and volunteers directly involved in any activities/organisation are allowed to attend, no spectators;
• Off pitch, you should not gather in groups any larger than six people in one group you should not mix with anyone in another group the whole time you are at the venue;
• Maintain social distancing at all times – 2 metres or if not possible, 1 metre with mitigation (face mask or standing side on);
• Do not share equipment and avoid touching surfaces that may have been touched by other players;
• Maintain hand hygiene – sanitise regularly;
• Our ability to play formally without restrictions on numbers depends on players and officials following our Guidelines. We have been warned by the Government that any sport that is not able to follow its own Guidelines may have restrictions imposed.

Now we’re back, let’s play safely at all times. Read our Play Safe Guidelines and follow them. Let’s enjoy playing the sport we love and which we have missed so much.