First of all we hope that all our fans are keeping safe and well! At the beginning of the month the first steps to a return to football were made with preseason games being allowed to take place behind closed doors.

This is a significant step in the right direction and we have produced our COVID 19 risk assessment (the full document is available to download on the link at the bottom of the page).

We’ve broken this down to certain areas that we feel are relevant during the behind closed doors preseason campaign, as ever these are all subject to change!

Players, staff and club officials:

Pre Match:

• Follow government travel guidance
• Avoid public transport
• Family groups or bubbles in one car
• Do not attend if you have any of the following symptoms: high temperature over 37.8, shortness of breath, loss or change in taste/smell, feeling constantly unwell, persistent tiredness
• Do not attend if you have had close contact with a person suspected or confirmed as infected with COVID 19 in the last 14 days
• Time arrival to minimise risk
• Observe social distancing and wear face covering at all possible times

During Match:

• Remain on the pitch before match and at half time only use toilet
• Facilities available in changing room, sanitise toilet seat and touch points before use
• Maximum of only eleven players to be allowed to changing rooms at one time
• Subs to change after first eleven have vacated changing room
• Avoid contact with corner flags and goal posts
• Minimise ball handling
• Avoid spitting
• Avoid shouting in other players faces
• Goalkeepers to sanitise gloves during breaks in play
• Close contact goal celebrations to be avoided
• Drinks to be in named containers for each player or each player to fetch their own drink
• Close contact goal celebrations to be avoided
• Drinks to be in named containers for each player or each player to fetch their own drink

Post-Match

• Kit to be separated into three baskets after game by designated person who must wear ppe
• Players to leave ground in a socially distanced manner and to shower at home
• Post-match food to be provided as a take away

Match Officials:

Pre-Match:

• Follow government travel guidance
• Avoid public transport
• Family groups or bubbles in one car
• Do not attend if you have any of the following symptoms: high temperature over 37.8, shortness of breath, loss or change in taste/smell, feeling constantly unwell, persistent tiredness
• Do not attend if you have had close contact with a person suspected or confirmed as infected with COVID 19 in the last 14 days
• Arrive changed to play
• Time arrival to minimise risk
• Observe social distancing and wear face covering at all possible times

During and Post Match:

• Facilities available in changing rooms but please observe social distancing
• Sanitise toilet seats and touch points before use
• Avoid contact with corner flags and goalposts
• Minimise ball handling
• Minimise handling of equipment sanitise between use
• Drinks to named containers for each official
• Match officials to leave ground in a socially distanced manner and to shower at home
• Post-match food provided as a takeaway

Visiting Directors:

• Follow government travel advice
• Self-assessment for COVID 19
• Observe social distancing
• Time arrival to minimise risk
• Make known to steward on gate on arrival
• Leave ground in a socially distanced manner

Provider and recipients of first aid and physio treatment:

• Normal treatment hygiene standards to be followed
• Face shield or face mask to be worn by physio's and first aiders

Club Volunteers, Stewards, Car Park Attendant Etc:

• Wear face covering visor or mask wear gloves sanitise hands on removal of gloves
• Follow government social distancing guidelines
• Sanitise all touch points prior to operation and regularly during operation
• Volunteer outside to marshal separation in queue and gather names and contact details for track and trace

The full document is available on the below link