The South African government has, this week, published a new gazette, allowing a limited number of spectators to attend sporting events in the country - subject to strict adherence to all Covid-19 health protocols and social distancing measures.
Further to the announcement, Tennis SA can confirm that spectators are now, with the exception of schools tennis, permitted to attend tennis events in South Africa. However attendance must be limited to 50% of the venue capacity. The onus is squarely placed on the venue operator or event organiser to ensure these limits are adhered to.
- Club Tennis:
- Screening of all players and spectators is mandatory, and registers must be always maintained.
- General club tennis and social activities may return to “normal” at tennis clubs.
- Spectators and family members may attend club days and club league matches.
- Indoor gatherings should be avoided as much as possible. If held, attendance must be limited to 50% of the indoor venue capacity.
- Curfew times, as per the current COVID regulations, must be adhered to.
- TSA Junior and Senior Tournaments:
- Screening of all players and spectators is mandatory, and registers must be always maintained.
- Indoor gatherings should be avoided as much as possible. If held, attendance must be limited to 50% of the indoor venue capacity.
- Curfew times, as per the current COVID regulations, must be adhered to.
- International Tennis Federation (ITF) Tournaments:
- Screening of all players and spectators is mandatory, and registers must be always maintained.
- Spectators will be permitted in the general tournament areas around the courts but, in line with ITF regulations, will not be able to access player specific areas.
- Where dedicated areas are set-up for players, access will only be for the player and a dedicated guest (former Plus 1).
- Indoor gatherings should be avoided as much as possible. If held, attendance must be limited to 50% of the venue capacity.
- Curfew times, as per the current COVID regulations, must be adhered to.
- School Tennis:
- Currently school sports (including tennis) has not been gazetted to permit spectators and will, for the time being, continue to be played behind closed doors.
- As soon as the regulations are amended by the Department of Basic Education, the necessary updated notification will be circulated by TSA.
- General Reminder:
- Social distancing to be maintained at all times.
- Masks to be worn by spectators and players (when off court).
- Screening and registers to be maintained at all times.
- The determination of what constitutes ‘50% capacity’ will be the responsibility of the club, venue operator or tournament organiser. If there is a query from the relevant law enforcement agency, then the committee responsible for the club, venue or event or venue will need to provide details of the mechanism used to determine the capacity.