Covid-19 and New Zealand chess

[heligan]

COVID-19 announcement from the New Zealand Chess Federation
In view of the COVID-19 virus situation, and in line with New Zealand Government advice on preventing transmission, the New Zealand Chess Federation Council passes the following resolution:

1. All NZCF Regional Interschools events for 2020 are cancelled until further notice

2. NZCF does not sanction or support the staging of any tournaments in New Zealand until further notice. Any such tournaments that take place will not be rated or recognised by the Federation, and no such events scheduled prior to 30th June shall be advertised on the NZCF Calendar.

3. NZCF strongly advises all Chess Clubs, whether affiliated to NZCF or not, to suspend activities.

It is with great regret that NZCF Council takes such a step. As chess is a game where the two players sit in close proximity of each other for lengthy periods of time, NZCF Council feels it appropriate to err on the side of caution in these unprecedented times.

NZCF Council will review the position at the end of June 2020.

[ER]

Good move NZCF!

[FM_Bill]

Good move NZCF!

Yes, good move!

[Patrick Byrom]

Chess Clubs to re-open under Covid-19 Level One

Today the Government announced that, with zero active cases of Covid-19, New Zealand would be moving to Level One from midnight tonight. The Government website states that “At Alert Level 1, everyone can return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want”. There are no mandatory Social Distancing rules, though the Government website suggests continuing to keep track of where we’ve been and who we’ve seen to assist with rapid contact tracing if it is required. Therefore from tomorrow there is no Government restriction and chess clubs are free to open again.

Individual Clubs may wish to consider taking various hygiene measures involving extra cleaning going forward. NZCF Council will be having an e-meeting this week to consider whether to publish a list of guidelines for this specific to chess.

Murray Chandler, NZCF President

I'm not sure what extra cleaning might be needed.

[Craig_Hall]

Chess Clubs to re-open under Covid-19 Level One

Today the Government announced that, with zero active cases of Covid-19, New Zealand would be moving to Level One from midnight tonight. The Government website states that “At Alert Level 1, everyone can return without restriction to work, school, sports and domestic travel, and you can get together with as many people as you want”. There are no mandatory Social Distancing rules, though the Government website suggests continuing to keep track of where we’ve been and who we’ve seen to assist with rapid contact tracing if it is required. Therefore from tomorrow there is no Government restriction and chess clubs are free to open again.

Individual Clubs may wish to consider taking various hygiene measures involving extra cleaning going forward. NZCF Council will be having an e-meeting this week to consider whether to publish a list of guidelines for this specific to chess.

Murray Chandler, NZCF President

I'm not sure what extra cleaning might be needed.

Sanitising the equipment and surfaces and regular bathroom cleaning for clubs which own their own or premises. Can't do much with the clocks, but the rest of it can be cleaned/sanitised easily.

[Patrick Byrom]

Sanitising the equipment and surfaces and regular bathroom cleaning for clubs which own their own or premises. Can't do much with the clocks, but the rest of it can be cleaned/sanitised easily.

Thanks. I wouldn't have thought that the virus could survive on surfaces between club meetings, but extra cleaning and sanitising can't hurt.

Cleaning someone's clock in a chess game is always difficult

[Craig_Hall]

Thanks. I wouldn't have thought that the virus could survive on surfaces between club meetings, but extra cleaning and sanitising can't hurt.

Cleaning someone's clock in a chess game is always difficult

Agree that it's unlikely, but apparently the virus can survive up to 10 days on some surfaces, so better safe than sorry.

[Kevin Bonham]

Thread retitled

Thread retitled for the benefit of silly Australians who keep posting in the wrong thread.

[Keong Ang]

Playing chess over the board ceases in New Zealand during NZ Government COVID-19 Alert level 2 or higher.

COVID-19 Alert level is 3 for Auckland and 2 for the rest of New Zealand beginning 12pm Wednesday 12th August 2020.
Covid19.govt.nz for the current alert level and further official information.

It needs to be COVID-19 Alert Level 1 or below before playing chess over the board can resume.