The NEPL Management Committee has sought guidance from ECB on what spectators are allowed to attend matches from 12 April. Please see information below:
The following groups are allowed to attend games:
- Players
- Umpires
- Scorers
- Others acting in an official capacity - coaches, team managers,
- Covid Coordinator, marshalls, bar staff.
- Those sitting at tables receiving hospitality.
- Carers for people with disabilities and adults needed to supervise under-18s in a safeguarding role. Where it is necessary for them to be present, supervising adults should not mix with others from outside their household or support bubble
- Any other spectators are not allowed.
The ECB guidance states that some cricket facilities are required by law to collect and maintain records of the contact details of visitors, customer and staff in accordance with the law. However this does not apply to all facilities (for example, outdoor cricket facilities in public places where it is not possible or practical to collect information from all spectators), so you should check the NHS Test and Trace guidance to see if this applies to your Club.
The ECB guidance further states that a cricket club in a public open space will not be required to ‘patrol’ the boundary collecting the contact details of everybody walking through the park and stopping to watch the cricket, but should continue to collect contact details of any person on site interacting with the clubhouse area, any seating areas provided by the club or interacting with any other club owned and/or operated facility. It is recommended clear demarcation is created to keep players and members of the public separate.
Clubs are recommended to study carefully the ECB guidance which is attached.
The NEPL recognises that the position regarding spectators will be a disappointment to NEPL Clubs but Clubs are expected to follow Government and ECB Guidance and sanctions are possible for those in breach.
The ECB does not expect that the rules on spectators will change before 17 May but the NEPL will continue to monitor the position, liaise with the ECB and CCBs and will advise Clubs should the position change.
