As we look forward to a green light for the return of recreational cricket, we urge clubs, the cricket network and our communities to do our very best to prevent any large gatherings this weekend.
With many club houses reopening their bars to members and/ or the public, we want to stress how important it is to oversee that visitors to your cricket club stick to the current Government advice.
We know that many of our clubs and players would have expected to see cricket return this weekend, and while it is disappointing that this is not the case and we have to wait a little while longer, we need to ensure as a sport that we adhere to all ECB and Government requirements and this includes not allowing any competitive cricket activity, or activity that exceeds the currently guidance of groups of 6 people.
Durham Cricket Board is clear that no cricket activity, that goes against what is currently permitted, should take place at this time until we get an official go ahead to restart.
What we don’t need at the moment is adverse attention being brought to the game that – as well as potentially affecting public health – may have the unwanted impact of further delaying our return to play.
ECB, Durham Cricket Board and the entire cricket community have worked really hard up until this point and any diversion from official advice would be a step back for our sport.
As I am sure you are all aware, there are a number of locations across the country experiencing local rises in contamination rates, with the first localised lockdown announced in Leicester this week. As a result, Leicester has now been reversed to Step 1 of ECB’s Roadmap, meaning that all recreational cricket activity is suspended.
The North East has seen a rapid decrease in contamination rates across our region in the past few weeks, which is very encouraging, but we need to ensure that as a sport, we continue to protect our communities and do not undermine the progress already achieved and be absolutely ready to go when the authorisation is given.
We’re thrilled to see some clubhouses reopen and we urge clubs to take responsibility to do as they have been and keep to Government guidelines from this Saturday onwards.
You can find the Government guidance for people who work in or run restaurants, pubs, bars, cafes or takeaways here.
Toilets and through-ways may be kept open, but guidance on hygiene should be followed.
ECB’s guidance on preparing your clubhouse and grounds for when recreational clubs can return to playing cricket in England, published today, also includes information for those clubs that wish to open their bar and provide food or drink facilities from 4th July.
Keep working together.
Bob Jackson
Chairman
Durham Cricket Board