Tennis protocols are clarified by Tennis South Africa

There has been some confusion around the protocols that should be followed as club, grassroots and social tennis reopens.

Tennis South Africa confirmed in a statement that all categories of club tennis have been given the go-ahead but all tennis must also follow strict safety guidelines in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

“All players and facilities will need to comply with strict safety measures put in place to ensure compliance with national government protocols,” the statement explained.

Tennis South Africa has put together an information pack to help ensure that these protocols are followed.

Protocols include:

• A no face mask, no entry to the premises policy
• A maximum of four players per court
• Keeping of a 1.5m social distance, between players and each other as well as coaches and players
• Children to be picked up and dropped off at the entrance to the premises? Toilets to only be used in emergencies
• A restriction of tennis balls to specific people
• A supervisor should always be on duty
• Players should only play during organised tennis days
• Fifteen minutes should be made available between lessons for planning
• Club bars and shops should be closed? Benches and chairs should not be shared
• Players should change ends in a clockwise direction to avoid each other
• Courts must be prepared by coaches in advance
• After completion of the lesson/event, players should leave the premises immediately
• No parents or guardians permitted on-site
• There should also be no shaking of hands or high-fives, and hands should be washed before and after sessions
• People should also sneeze into their elbows and stay at home if they or any family members display coronavirus symptoms.

The document also lists a national risk-adjusted strategy with rules that change under different lockdown levels.For instance, floodlights should only be used under lockdown levels 2 and 1, and up to eight players per court will be allowed under lockdown Level 2, and lockdown Level 1 will allow for even more players per court for regular coaching.

Furthermore, club canteens and clubhouses will be allowed to open from lockdown Level 2, and parents should also only enter the premises from lockdown Level 2.Tennis SA’s statement also stressed that social gatherings before and after sessions were not allowed.