COVID-19: Latest updates

Tuesday 17th March 2020

COVID-19: Latest updates

Kent Cricket continues to monitor the situation regarding the outbreak of COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. We remain vigilant, and will continue to keep in-line with the Government and Public Health England’s latest advice.

We remain in close contact with our governing body, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), and we continue to receive regular guidance from Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS).

The health and safety of our staff, players, coaches, members, supporters and visitors remains our top priority.

Some of our office-based staff are already working from home, and we would ask for patience as we do our best to maintain our usual levels of service.

Where possible, please contact us via email using feedback.kent@ecb.co.uk.

Our coaches and playing squad have safely returned from their pre-season tour in South Africa. Whilst none of the squad are considered to require self-isolation, they are, like everyone, observing appropriate social distancing protocol following the most recent government advice.

The Club has a Kent Cricket COVID Task Force in place and we are ready to act on the guidance of the ECB and government agencies. Whilst the guidance up until now has been to continue largely as business as usual, the situation is moving fast. We are prepared to act immediately if we are advised to do so.

***CLUB UPDATE 19:00 Tuesday 17th March 2020***

Our Kent Cricket COVID Task Force is meeting regularly to review latest guidance and ensure that decisions we take are in the best interests of the Club, its staff, its members and its wider stakeholders.

Please see below the latest updates to the Club’s upcoming programmes and events that we would like to communicate as early and clearly as possible:

Domestic County Cricket Season

  • As previously communicated, all Kent coaches and playing squad have safely returned from their pre-season tour in South Africa. Whilst none of the squad are considered to require self-isolation, they are, like everyone, observing appropriate social distancing protocol following the most recent Government advice.
  • Our Academy and County Age Group and Pathway programmes will all be suspended for a minimum period of four weeks, at least until Sunday April 19.
  • Our warm-up matches against Middlesex at Merchant Taylor’s School (26-27 March) and against Hampshire at The Spitfire Ground, St. Lawrence (7-8 April) have been cancelled.
  • Whilst the cricket season is officially scheduled to start in April, this is clearly under review by ECB given latest Government guidance.
  • We have been asked to provide input into an ECB assessment on possible scheduling options for the season ahead and we will update members when we have more information.

Community Cricket Programmes

  • All Schools coaching programmes will be suspended immediately for a minimum period of four weeks, at least until Sunday April 19.
  • Access to our Indoor School facilities at Canterbury and Beckenham for the majority of external groups, including coaching programmes and community clubs, will also be suspended for a minimum period of four weeks, at least until Sunday April 19.
  • Until Government advice changes, we will continue to provide access to our Indoor School facilities for schools that have specific plans in place to mitigate risks.

Events

  • 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Monday 6th April
    • Our priority is to comply with our legal requirements and the Club Rules whilst protecting the welfare of members and staff.
    • We are exploring a number of options for our AGM and will ensure that members are kept updated once a decision has been finalised.
  • An Evening with Kent Legends – Thursday 23rd April
    • This already “sold-out” event will be postponed. A new date will be announced in due course. Tickets already issued for the event will be automatically valid for the rescheduled evening.
    • Alternatively, a refund can be obtained for this event by contacting the Club office.
  • 150 Year Celebration Dinner in the Long Room at Lords – Wednesday 17th June
    • This planned event will be postponed. Tickets have not yet gone on sale and details on the rescheduled date and how to buy tickets will be communicated when finalised.
  • Westlife Concert – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – Friday 17th July
    •  This event is currently scheduled to take place as planned.
  • Little Mix Concert – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – Sunday 19th July
    •  This event is currently scheduled to take place as planned.
  • An Evening of Elton – The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence – Saturday 8th August
    •  This event is currently scheduled to take place as planned.

Office Staff

  • Many of our office based staff are already working remotely whilst we maintain a skeleton staff in the offices at Canterbury and Beckenham.
  • Please be patient as we do our best to maintain our usual levels of service.
  • Where possible, please contact us by email using feedback.kent@ecb.co.uk.

Kent Cricket’s Chief Executive, Simon Storey, said: “Clearly, the welfare of our staff, players, coaches, pathway and age group participants, members and visitors remains our top priority.

“This is new territory for all of us and we will continue to be steered by ECB and Government advice. We are working closely with other Counties to share best practise and learnings and we are also carefully modelling the financial implications to ensure that the Club can steer a pathway through these challenging times. It is important that we take a balanced approach.

“The decisions taken today to postpone or cancel events and programmes are disappointing but we believe we have acted in the best interest of everyone associated with Kent Cricket. It is clear that the situation is changing fast and we will continue to keep you informed with regular updates.

“I would like to extend my thanks to our staff, players, members, sponsors, stakeholders and supporters for their continued and loyal support. These are uncertain times for us all but we can be reassured that we are stronger when we face these challenges together.”

Please follow us online and on our official Twitter and Facebook pages where will continue to provide the latest news.

Further guidance can be found here:

NHS – https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Government website – https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response