COVID-19 UPDATE – 21st MAY 2021

Dear Members, Colleagues and Friends,

The First Minister today provided an update on changes to restriction levels in local authorities. The decisions announced were:

Moray will move down to Level 2 from midnight tonight.
Glasgow will remain at Level 3 for at least another week.
East Renfrewshire which has also seen quickly rising rates of infection, will remain at Level 2.

Glasgow will be the only part of Scotland at level 3. The rest of the mainland, Skye and some southern islands are at level 2. The three island local authorities, the Highland islands (other than Skye), and some Argyll islands are at level 1.

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The First Minister also announced travel restrictions from Scotland to three local authorities in England – Bedford, Bolton, and Blackburn & Darwen.

Good news therefore for all table tennis players in Moray and East Renfrewshire who join the majority of members around the country in Level 2 who can play using the Bubble system and enjoy a variety of playing opponents.

Unfortunately for all members in the City of Glasgow, who remain in Level 3 for at least another week, this means the Bubble system is suspended and there can be no rotation of opponents.

 In summary from Saturday 22 May:

If you are a PLAYER or COACHresident in a local authority area placed in Levels0,1,2 the current TTS Return to Play Guidelines continue to apply. The Bubble system is allowed but doubles can only be played if the partnerships are from the same household.
If, however, you are a PLAYER resident in a local authority Level 3 area, (Moray and City of Glasgow) please note the BUBBLEsystem is suspended. Play can take place on multiple tables for example but there can be no changing of opponents during the session.
There is no change to the guidance forunder 18s at Levels 0, 1, 2, 3.
• Please note if you are a COACH operating in a Level 3 area you can ONLYoffer Adults, a One to One session.

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TRAVEL

Information on what travel is permitted in the five protection levels for each local authority area is available at Coronavirus (COVID-19): local protection levels. Specific information on car sharing is available from Transport Scotland: advice on how to travel safely.

Table Tennis Scotland is aware that these measures are complex but we hope that all members will continue to adhere to our Return to play Guidelines and play a valuable role in helping to restrict the spread of Covid 19.

We are also aware that many of you are still unable to play because most local authorities have not been able to open up many of their facilities for community use. Rest assured we and our colleagues in sportscotland are working hard with local authorities around Scotland to address this very difficult situation.

Please be patient and if you are able to play table tennis in your local area we would ask you to continue to be vigilant, adhere rigidly to our Guidelines and look after each other.

If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to call: Richard Yule: 07739 574 356 (m)

Stay healthy, keep safe and enjoy your game.

Richard Yule
TTS Chief Operating Officer
richard.yule@tabletennisscotland.co.uk