Golfers limited to close contacts amid restrictions
By Dale Woodard on May 8, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDsports@lethbridgeherald.com
Even with the latest COVID-19 crackdowns announced earlier this week, golfers can still get in the swing of things, albeit with a select group.
On Thursday, provincial health authorities announced that, starting Monday, restrictions will be placed on who golfers can play with.
“At this time, outdoor sport and recreation activities like golf in areas under the enhanced restrictions should be limited to household members only or, if living alone, two close contacts,” said Tom McMillan, assistant director, communications for Alberta Health in a email. “Recognizing the benefits of outdoor activities, we are assessing whether additional or modified protocols are needed.”
At his media availability Friday, premier Jason Kenney was asked about the possibility of three or four people who aren’t from the same household to have a round of golf if they arrive in different vehicles and mask up on the tees.
“Outdoor recreation is actually something we encourage, but we are trying to limit contact and interaction between people,” said Kenney. “So those are the goals that led to that policy. I will ask Dr. (Deena) Hinshaw and her team to review that and perhaps the Alberta Golf Association can come up with a proposal or protocol along those lines where folks are not travelling in the same carts and they stay socially distant. The greatest risk when it comes to golf would be folks assembling for a post-game adult refreshment in the clubhouse and socializing indoors. That is not permissible now.”
In his email, McMillan added “Golfers and golf course workers have done a great job of minimizing the risk in these settings and we hope to be able to open up further as soon as it is safe to do so.”
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AHS has already closed down clubhouses weeks ago and golfers have all been riding in separate carts since last year. So to say that’s what they’re trying to prevent now shows how out of touch they are with with their own protocols. Let’s get out and golf!
Also courses (most) have been using the no touch flag rule and ball retrievers (no touch) after putts. Also no rakes in the sand, no ball washers, three in the pro shop max (being enforced where I go) plus can only book nine holes as a single. So first its keep the family away from you now its your friends. They have no idea.