COVID-19 UPDATE – 10th September

Dear Members, Colleagues and Friends,

The First Minister updated Scottish Parliament yesterday on the review of the route map through and out of the pandemic. She noted that while Scotland had successfully suppressed the virus in the summer, confirmed positive case numbers have recently risen and as a result, the criteria have not been met to progress to Phase 4 of the route map. The Scottish Government’s assessment is that we are now reaching or have reached the limit of what can safely be opened up.  An updated route map is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19) Phase 3: Scotland’s route map update – 10 September 2020.

Please note however that the new restrictions regarding social gatherings do NOT apply to organised indoor sport including table tennis. The current TTS Return to Play Guidelines, as published on our website, continue to apply.

Just another reminder that all clubs looking to return to play MUST appoint a Covid 19 Officer. Please also encourage other club members to take the sportscotland e-learning module course. This excellent and informative on line course takes less than one hour of your time. When completed please send a copy of your certificate to cynthia.robinson@tabletennisscotland.co.uk

The First Minister also re-emphasised the FACTS guidance and highlighted the launch of the new Protect Scotland app that will enhance the contact tracing component of NHS Scotland’s Test and Protect system. With that in mind we are encouraging everyone in the table tennis community to download and promote the Protect Scotland app which is designed to help us protect each other, reduce the spread of coronavirus and avoid further lockdowns.

TTS NATIONAL EVENTS

As we are not moving to Phase 4 of the Routemap the Board of TTS has reluctantly accepted it will not be possible to stage any national events before January 2021. The following events are postponed/ cancelled depending on future government announcements.

1. September 12/13 – Interleague (Postponed from April 2020)
2. September 26 – North of Scotland Open
3. October 10 – National League 1
4. October 11 – Perth Grand Prix
5. November 21 – Scottish Primary Schools Champs
6. November 28 – National League 2

On behalf of everyone at TTS we wish you all a safe return to club play. Please follow the guidelines and stay safe, stay healthy and keep washing those hands!

Don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions:

Richard Yule
richard.yule@tabletennisscotland.co.uk
07739 574 356 (M)