CHIPPENHAM TOWN FC – COVID PROTOCOLS STATEMENT

Chippenham Town (CTFC) recognises the risks of Covid-19 to all the Club’s personnel including its volunteers and service providers and everyone with whom they come into contact. This Statement sets out the general measures that CTFC will use to maintain a safe environment for all occupants and visitors to the Thornbury Surfacing Ltd Stadium (TSS) to reduce the transmission risk of Covid-19 as far as is reasonably practicable.

Social distancing rules and guidance set by the Government, the FA and National League are under continuous review and therefore CTFC’s protocols must be interpreted in accordance with prevailing guidance in operation from time to time. Any individual not willing to comply with the requirements set out in this document and/or related documents, will not be allowed access to the TSS.

The National League South season commences on 3 Oct 20. Until then and in line with current guidance, the Club’s friendlies, both home and away, will be played behind closed doors. Our supporters should not attempt to travel to any of these games as they will not be allowed entry.

2. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Club’s Covid Officer is Jason Norman who has general responsibility for ensuring all appropriate Covid-19 Government/FA/NL guidance is followed by all club personnel, its service providers and all visitors to TSS.

He will be assisted in these duties as follows:

i. The Chippenham Town FC Board and Club Secretary;
ii. The coaching team who will ensure compliance amongst themselves and the players;
iii. All members of the Club’s staff, including volunteers; and
iv. All visitors to TSS who will be expected to comply with all measures put in place by CTFC to provide a safe as possible environment.

3. TESTING AND PPE

Any CTFC staff member, including playing staff, displaying Covid-19 systems or in contact with someone displaying symptoms within the 2 weeks prior to attending TSS, should stay at home until they are advised they no longer need to isolate. They must undertake a self-screen check before attending the Stadium and should bring the completed and signed check form with them for retention by the Covid Officer. If any question answers “yes”, the individual must stay at home.

When at the Stadium, all CTFC personnel including playing staff other than those present in the technical area during the match, must wear a face covering. while in the Stadium. This includes CTFC service providers eg stewards and external catering staff who must wear face masks and/or other PPE appropriate to their roles. On match days all other visitors to the ground including visiting club personnel will have their temperatures taken on arrival at the ground. Anyone testing positive will not be allowed entry to the Stadium.

4. PROTOCOLS APPLICABLE TO ALL TRAINING SESSIONS

Before attending a training session, all staff and players are expected to check themselves for any Covid-19 related symptoms using the self-screen checklist which must be brough to training for retention by the physio.

Travel should aim to minimise contact with other players by:

avoiding public transport;
using own car. If “bubbling”, all occupants should face the same way, car windows should be open, face overrings worn and discussion kept to the minimum
walking or cycling;
avoiding groups;
keeping vehicles well ventilated;
cleaning cars (especially door handles etc) between journeys;
minimising stops at petrol garages, service stations etc;
paying for fares, goods, or services by contactless card wherever feasible.

Anyone attending training will be required to give their name and contact number for Test and Trace purposes each time they attend. This information will be retained by the club for 21 days after the session before being destroyed.

Wherever possible Players should arrive in training gear and bring a change of clothing. They will need to bag their change of clothing and shoes and to change into and out of any club-supplied kit either in an open space or go home to do so. The wearing of face coverings and gloves is recommended.

Water-bottles and other personal items (such as shin pads, gloves, towels, etc) must not be shared. They must be clearly marked with their name and are for their own use.

Footballs, training cones, bibs and equipment, including any other portable equipment must be sanitised before and after each training session. Fixed equipment such as goal posts and corner flags will be sanitised before each session and during breaks. The moving of training equipment should be done so by only the person designated to do so.

During the session, gestures such as helping players off the ground should be avoided as well as any interactions/confrontation after any incidents. Where sessions will involve ‘opposed’ exercises, players will use bibs, but keep said bib for the duration of the full training session. Bibs will not be shared and will be laundered after each training session.

Medical staff must ensure they have all necessary protective equipment and information to do their job effectively and safely.

Following training all attendees must immediately travel home. Players must not leave discarded belongings at the venue: all litter must be taken home.

In the event anyone attending subsequently tests positive for Covid-19, all attendees will be contacted and advised to undertake ‘Test and Trace’ measures.

5. PROTOCOLS APPLICABLE TO FRIENDLY MATCHES AND SUBSEQUENT LEAGUE OR CUP MATCHES

A programme of pre-season matches has been arranged all of which will be played behind closed doors. A decision will be taken as to whether to post the programme but it is our aim to provide videos or video highlights of each match to keep fans engaged.

Before attending a match, all staff and players are expected to check themselves for any Covid-19 related symptoms using the self-screen checklist which must be brought to training for retention by the physio.

Travel should aim to minimise contact with other players by:

avoiding public transport;
using own car. If “bubbling”, all occupants should face the same way, car windows should be open, face overrings worn and discussion kept to the minimum
walking or cycling;
avoiding groups;
keeping vehicles well ventilated;
cleaning cars (especially door handles etc) between journeys;
minimising stops at petrol garages, service stations etc;
paying for fares, goods, or services by contactless card wherever feasible.

Anyone attending will be required to give their name and contact number for Test and Trace purposes each time they attend TSS. This information will be retained by the club for 21 days after the match before being destroyed.

A list of travelling teams and officials will be sought in advance of the match in line with existing match confirmations. Where possible, away teams and officials will be asked for an estimated arrival time at the ground. They will be met by the Covid Officer who will also direct the visiting players to the changing rooms via the Red Zone. Congregating/socialising outside the stadium will not be permitted and all visitors should make their way immediately into the ground as directed. Those entering the ground should only do so in adequate time to complete their own roles/duties.

Seating has been allocated in the Main Stand for home and visiting Directors and press though the numbers will be limited. The usual laws relating to the technical area will obtain. These have been extended to allow for social distancing and an area behind the dug-outs set aside for substitutes to watch the game. Match officials will be advised to distance when using their changing room and showering.

The changing rooms and showers will be open but players, coaches, and support staff are asked to use these facilities for the least amount of time possible, to suitably distance where possible and to minimise the number in the changing room at one time. Players may have to wait on the pitch to allow others to shower and leave the changing room before taking their turn. Advice suggests no more than 11 players and 1 coach or manager. Hand hygiene must be observed at all times

Wherever possible Players should arrive in training gear and bring a change of clothing. They will need to bag their change of clothing and shoes and to change into and out of any club-supplied kit quickly or go home to do so. The wearing of face coverings and gloves is recommended.

Water-bottles and other personal items (such as shin pads, gloves, towels, etc) must not be shared. They must be clearly marked with their name and are for their own use.

All toilets will be opened and in use. Only one person will be allowed to enter at a time. Please follow all signage and/ or arrows in the clubhouse. The facility will include soap and hand sanitiser

The two squads and the match officials will each be advised of separate areas for their pre-match warmups. Team sheets will be exchanged only electronically – the opposing secretaries, match officials, team managers and captains and PA announcer will take smartphone copies of them. Hard copies will be posted in the ground and anyone wishing a personal copy must use their smartphone to take a photo copy.

Footballs, training cones and equipment must be sanitised before and after each match. For fixed equipment, goalposts, and corner flags, these will be sanitised before each match and at half time. A supply of spare sanitised footballs will be placed close to the dugouts. Retrieved footballs will be sanitised before being returned to the technical area ready to be reused.

The physical respect handshake will not take place until further notice.

Players and staff will be reminded by appropriate signs not to engage in unnecessary physical contact before, during, or after the match, such as goal celebrations, disputes, and handshakes.

Where possible, match officials’ fees will be paid without the use of cash, ie by direct bank transfer.

Medical staff must ensure that they have all necessary protective equipment and information to do their job effectively and safely.

Players must not leave discarded belongings in the changing room and must take all litter (especially used drinks containers) home.

When confirming fixtures, visiting clubs and match officials will be advised of this Action Plan, and given the opportunity to raise any questions they may have.

When playing away from home, as well as the usual match confirmation acknowledgement CTFC will provide a Travel Plan for the home for Test and Trace purposes. We will also ask to see that club’s protocols to understand the procedures we will need to adhere to once arrived at the club/ground.

6. WHEN SPECTATORS ARE PERMITTED TO RETURN TO THE GROUND

When guidance advises it is safe for supporters to return, those from both sides will be expected to follow all CTFC’s protocols in order to keep them and others safe. Anyone not wishing to adhere to them will not be permitted in the stadium. We anticipate that the new Covid-19 measures will be in place for some time to come.

Entrance to the ground will be via the main gates and any additional open turnstiles. A Red Zone for the sole use of players and match officials will indicate the route to the changing room. Test and Trace will operate and supporters will be asked to give their name and contact number at the entrance. This information will be kept for 21 days and then destroyed. Temperatures will be taken at the entrance to the stadium and anyone displaying a temperature above the acceptable range will not be permitted entry to the Stadium.

Directional signage will indicate access to the clubhouse which will operate a one-way system via the main entrance at which there will be a hand sanitising station with the exit via the emergency door to an indicated viewing position. The clubhouse will be thoroughly cleaned between each match and stewards will be on hand to help manage the facility. Further information is in paragraph 7 below.

Main stand seating will be closely managed by CTFC staff in order to ensure appropriate social distancing with spectators seated in permitted “bubbles”. The area behind the main stand will operate as an intermittent Red Zone and during these times there will be no spectator through passage. The aisle behind both technical areas has been cordoned off to provide a safe area for substitute players and to prevent spectators from passing through. At no time will spectators have access to any Red Zone. Directional signage will indicate ways to walk and you are asked to walk continuously to your match viewing point rather than “stop/start” which might cause difficulty for others.

Sanitiser has been placed around the ground for everyone’s use. On match days, all toilets inside the clubhouse and main stand will be opened and in use. Only one person (male or female) will be allowed to enter at a time. Following its conversion to other uses, the toilets in the “old” bar will no longer be accessible to spectators

7. CLUBHOUSE USERS

As stated above, signage will indicate a clearly defined one-way system within the clubhouse. All users must follow this system. Entry will be via the main entrance, at which there will be a hand sanitising station, with the exit via the emergency door leading to an indicated viewing position.

Hand sanitiser will be placed around the clubhouse. Hand washing facilities are in the clubhouse toilets where soap and hand towels will be found. Toilets are limited for use in order to meet social distancing guidelines. Bar and Kitchen staff all have the use of PPE including face masks and disposable gloves. The bar can take contactless payments as well as cash. The till itself is sanitised regularly to minimise cross contamination.

A clearly defined queueing system will be implemented and you must remain appropriately distanced when around the bar area. Queuing to use the kitchen facilities will be strictly from the outside serving hatch. The queue should maintain an appropriate distance.

Seating within the clubhouse will be limited and users will be asked to sit in their own “bubbles” Clubhouse capacity for Covid purposes has been deemed 60 persons seated with room for queues at any one time and stewards will ensure that this number is not breached.

All surfaces will be sanitised after use and full cleaning regimes implemented after each use of the clubhouse including the toilet facilities. To reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission via drinks glasses, all drinks will be served in disposable containers. Users should dispose of their container in the bins provided.

8. CLUB SHOP USERS

At the time of writing the new Club Shop is undergoing fitting out. Signage will, however, indicate the shop’s operation with numbers limited at any one time to ensure its safe operation. All users must follow the measures that will be in place. As a minimum, hand sanitiser will be available and must be used on entry to the shop which is able to take contactless payments as well as cash. All payment and other equipment will be sanitised regularly as necessary to minimise cross contamination.

All surfaces will be sanitised after use and full cleaning regimes implemented after each match.

9. MATCHDAY OFFICE

The match day office will operate a strict one in, one out system. A hand sanitiser will be available and must be used on entry. Visitors will be limited to only the time that is necessary to conduct their business ie there will be no socialising. It may be necessary to close the office for a short period to enable essential match day functions to be completed without undue disruption to the business. In that event an appropriate notice will be posted.

All equipment eg computer, desks, chairs will be sanitised regularly to minimise cross contamination. All surfaces will be sanitised after use and a full cleaning regime implemented before each match.

10. CONCLUSION

This Protocols Statement will be posted on the Club’s website. All visitors to TSS are reminded to check the Government website to obtain the most up-to-date information on all pandemic related issues. CTFC considers visitors to the Stadium have a joint responsibility to keep it and each other as safe as possible and we rely on eveyone’s support to achieved this aim.

Annex:
TSS Zonal Map

2019/20 Admission Prices