Folks at long last we can give clubs and their members some positive news after several weeks of not being 100% sure how the regulations affected us.

I thank Colin Campbell very much for this information as I have stolen it from the IBA/IBF post. There have been many frantic emails and conversations with the Department of Communities and Sport NI in the past 2 days and we finally have got the clarity we were looking for.

TO ALL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE THE I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE PGL WEBSITE AT PRESENT AND AM NOT ABLE TO LOG IN TO POST THIS INFORMATION DIRECTLY. I WILL POST TO THE FORUM BUT CAN I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE DO YOUR BEST TO PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS YOU CAN. THANK YOU.

The NI Executive announced yesterday that the Health Protection Regulations are to be amended to reflect that outdoor sports courts can open. This will include outdoor bowling greens.

These easements announced by the NI Executive will apply from the 8th of June. The NI executive will let us know at the NI Executive briefing on the 4th of June if they are happy for the easements announced yesterday to go ahead on the 8th of June.

Outdoor sporting activities like outdoor bowls will then be permissible as long as protocols are in place to ensure compliance with all elements of the regulations including restrictions on the number of people gathering, restrictions on access to premises, social distancing and appropriate hygiene arrangements.

Please refer to the IBF Guidelines which can be found on this website under the header COVID 19 – Club Guidelines.

Clubs must ensure that the guidelines are in place followed to ensure safe bowling conditions for all members.

We have been waiting for a while for this news, and we thank all our members for their patience. We will make another confirmatory announcement following the NI executive briefing on the 4th of June.