North Dorset RFC

Dear Members,

We have been advised that there has been a confirmed case of COVID-19 within the Club. This correspondence is to inform you of the current situation and to provide advice. Please be reassured that for most people, COVID-19 will be a mild illness. 

The person with symptoms was last at the Club on Sunday 18 October. 

Our review of the situation has concluded that the person with symptoms came into contact with a small number of youth players with whom he was training. Those individuals were contacted on Tuesday 20th October and advised to isolate for 14 days from the date of contact. He did not come into close contact with any other members or staff. The Club therefore did not need to take any action relating to any other individual members or staff. 

The Club will remain open. We continue to ensure high standards of hygiene and maintain plans and guidance to support safe rugby activity and social distancing. 

As a reminder we have included the following advice from the NHS and the RFU.

What to do if you or one of your family develops symptoms of COVID 19 

If symptoms of COVID-19 develop, you should organise for the affected person to be tested via the NHS online portal or by calling 119. Your household should isolate until you receive the test results giving the all clear. 

The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

•             a new continuous cough and / or

•             a high temperature and / or

•             a loss of, or change in, normal sense of taste or smell 

For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness.

Self isolation required by schools 

Whilst writing, we would also like to confirm our policy concerning children who have been asked to self-isolate by their school. Where this is the case, the respective children should also self isolate from rugby activity. We trust that parents will understand and respect this policy. 

Rugby activity 

Finally, we would like to confirm that in terms of rugby, we remain at Stage D on the England Rugby Return to Rugby Roadmap. Although social gatherings of more than six people were banned in England from Monday 14 September and a number of local lockdown restrictions put in place in some areas of the country, the Government has confirmed that organised sports and activities that have been through return to play protocols can continue. 

In order to continue enjoying rugby based activity, we must follow the guidelines that the Club and RFU have established. We have all worked hard to ensure they are as straight forward and non-intrusive as is possible. Thank you for working with us. 

The key things to remember are…

•             Self screening before a session and if individuals are concerned they must not attend

•             Hand sanitation every 15 minutes in a session

•             Ball / equipment washing every 15 minutes in a session

•             Social distancing in the breaks and when spectating. 

Please strive to make these things routine, and let’s keep looking out for each other.

Yours sincerely

Chris Brickell

Director of Safeguarding