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Important – Covid 19 Update

Following the statement from the First Minister on Tuesday the Board has been actively considering implications for the Club and Members.

Ultimately the overriding concern is for the health and safety of all Members, guests and staff.  The Club has been fortunate so far that the direct effect of the pandemic on Members has been limited and our objective is for this to continue.

Let me, firstly, summarise the key changes:

From Friday 20 November at 6pm

• • the previous travel advice ceases to be simply guidance and becomes the law.
  • several areas including West Lothian will move to Level 4 which significantly increases restrictions around activity, especially travel.

From Tuesday 24 November

• • • East Lothian and Midlothian will move to Level 2 which relaxes slightly the relevant restrictions.

The main concerns relate to the changes to travel restrictions and the use of the Clubhouse. While the focus of the legal restrictions is on the individual, there is a risk of possible damage to the Club’s reputation and its standing in the eyes of public authorities should there be any non-compliance with the new requirements.

Having reviewed the position, the Club strongly urges Members to adhere to the new legal restrictions as follows:-

From 6pm Friday 20 November

• • If a Member resides in a Level 4 area, they must not travel to the Club. If a Member is legally able to visit the club, they must not introduce a guest from a Level 4 area.
  • Members who live in a Level 3 area outside East Lothian should not travel to the club.Scottish Golf has confirmed that travel for golf is not permitted (for over 18s) outside your area if your home is in Level 3. https://scottishgolf.org/covid-19-local-protection-levels-guidance/
  • Members who live in Level 2 or 1 areas should not travel to the club while East Lothian remains as a Level 3 area (i.e. until Tuesday 24 November).

From 6am Tuesday 24 November

• • Members living in East or Midlothian or any other Level 2 area (e.g. The Borders) can come to the club to play golf and use the restricted clubhouse facilities.
  • Members should not introduce guests to the club who live in Level 3 or 4 areas.
  • Alcoholic drinks can be served in the Dining Room while eating lunch. Non-alcoholic drinks will be available in the Smoke Room irrespective of whether lunch is being taken.

If any of the above affects a current booking, please amend on the system or contact the office.

Due to the current situation the Winter Foursomes Competition will be suspended from Saturday 21 November and will resume when the restrictions are relaxed.

In providing this direction the Board is aware that it will not be welcomed by some but hope that, with continuing improvement in Level 3 areas, these restrictions may apply only for a short time. There are some suggestions, for instance, that the City of Edinburgh area may be considered for Level 2 status within the next week or two.

Most importantly, the Board do not consider that it is for the Club and its staff to police these new rules and rather, as has been the position to date, to trust Members to take the correct and most appropriate course of action in line with the legal requirements.  This situation will be kept under review.

Over the next few days if there are any further clarifications from the Scottish Government or Scottish Golf which have a bearing on the above, we shall of course keep you updated.

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