Wexford County Championships: Restrictions in place for those returning to play next week

WEXFORD SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

As we await publication of the GAA Handball Return to Play document, all clubs with players in next weeks county softball championships should ensure that their players are fully aware of, and compliant with, the national restrictions currently in place. These are outlined below and if doubts exist, clubs and/or players should get in touch with a county committee official. 

Restrictions in the 26 Counties

From September 20th

The following applies to competitive indoor sports training, competition and events.

Indoor:

  • Organised indoor sport can take place with capacity limits of 100 people (with appropriate protective measures) where all patrons are immune (fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19 within previous 6 months) or accompanied minors (under 18).
  • Where patrons have mixed immunity status, training in pods of up to 6 participants will be permitted (this excludes adult coaches/instructors etc.).
  • Multiple pods will be permissible and should take into account the overall size of the venue. Substantial social distancing between individual pods should be implemented.
  • From September 20th, Dressing Rooms may be used as changing facilities only before and after games but with a maximum occupancy of 6 people at any one time.

Outdoor:

  • Removal of measures such as Pods of 15 in outdoor training etc.

From October 22nd

Based on the criteria of at or close to 90% of people 16 or over being fully vaccinated in the coming weeks and having regard to the incidence and behaviour of the disease at that time, the Government plan to remove further statutory restrictions in respect of events and activities from 22nd of October.

Some of the following key measures will be removed:

  • Formal requirements/mandates for physical distancing
  • Limits on numbers at outdoor events and engaging in sporting activities outdoors
  • Restrictions on indoor sports activities and other indoor leisure/community activities
  • Certification of immunity or testing as a prerequisite for access to, or engagement in, any activities or events (with exception of international travel

    General (Applies to both North and South)

    The Health Questionnaires should continue to be completed ahead of all training sessions and games and the Return to Play guidelines issued previously should continue to be adhered to. The Health Questionnaire was recently updated to reflect the additional symptoms associated with the Delta variant. 

    It is important to note, that regardless of whether a player/participant is vaccinated or not, if they have any of the symptoms associated with Covid and detailed on the Health Questionnaire, they should not attend a training session or game.

    The Health Questionnaire is available at returntoplay.gaa.ie