The Wairarapa Korus playing at Queen Elizabeth Park Oval. Cricket can go ahead on the open ground with strict protocols. PHOTO/FILE
CRICKET
CHRIS COGDALE
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All cricket under the jurisdiction of Wairarapa Cricket will go ahead under the covid-19 red light setting, but the association won’t be applying a vaccine mandate.
With games played on open public grounds, enforcing a vaccine mandate is impractical, so in line with NZ Cricket protocols, Wairarapa Cricket is imposing some strict requirements for games to be played.
That allows for playing group restrictions of 25 players per fixture, excluding coaches and managers, scorers, umpires, and other employees. The policy applies immediately to senior men’s and women’s franchise fixtures and will be reviewed before the start of junior and school cricket in two weeks.
In a directive to clubs, Wairarapa Cricket general manager Simon Roseingrave said teams must abide by the protocols, and that spot checks would be made. Teams face fines or suspensions if they don’t comply.
“No spectators or supporters from outside of the designated group of 25 should come in contact with any member of the group during a match, and spectators must ensure they follow all government physical distancing recommendations,” Roseingrave said.
“There is no requirement for participants to physically distance during the course of the match, but during breaks in play or at the conclusion of the match, physical distancing should be observed.
“Members of the designated group that are not on the field of play should position themselves in a low thoroughfare area to reduce the chance of interaction with the general public using the park.”
The policy allows for more than one game to be played on a playing field, provided that each match has its own defined space, and if there is a crossover of boundaries, players within the crossover area must observe physical distancing.
Roseingrave said all outdoor facilities must have a contact tracing QR poster displayed, which participants and supporters should be actively using.
