Safety Rules and Requirements

These safety rules and requirements for our club members are based on recommendations from the City of Ottawa, Tennis Canada, and the Ontario Tennis Association. The City monitors all sports facilities that are open to the public, and can close our club at any time if we don't respect the safety rules. You have a moral obligation to respect these rules. Play safe!

GENERAL RULES

You must practice physical distancing at all times. The club has put health and safety measures in place, but is unable to enforce them at all times. Your safety is ultimately your own responsibility. If you behave in a reckless manner, the club can cancel your membership without a refund obligation, and can ban you from the club for the rest of the season.
If you have symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19, inform the health authorities that you have been playing tennis at the Craig Henry Tennis Club, and inform the club as well.
We recommend playing only singles. Doubles play is also permitted. Respect the social distancing guidelines, and stay at a minimum of two meters from each other at all times.
You are allowed to play only if you booked a court online. No drop-ins are allowed. Non member guests are not allowed. This measure is designed to help health authorities track member contact in case of an emergency situation.
The booking system allows you to book only a one-hour slot at a time. This is to allow as many members to use the courts. Juniors can book a court only with parent’s permission.
Arrive at the club as close as possible to your playing time.
You must wear your shoe tag at all times as proof of club membership. Shoe tags must be worn on the shoe laces for easy identification from a distance (do not put them on a key chain or attach them to your tennis bag).
Wait outside the fence in the designated area until it is your turn to play. Do not wait on the court. Do not sit on the benches on the deck. Wait until your designated court has been vacated by the previous players before entering the court area.
When no attendant is on site, make sure that the gate is closed and locked at all times.
Do not take a chair onto the court. The benches have been removed from the courts to minimize the health risks.
The community building will be closed. There will be no access to the water fountain and to the washrooms.
Do not leave any garbage behind you on the courts and on court premises. You must take your garbage or recyclable items home. There are no garbage or recycling receptacles at the club.

BEFORE YOU PLAY

As much as possible, play only with family members, persons living in your household or persons considered to be low risk.
Do not come to the club to play if you:
- feel sick or experience coronavirus or flu-like symptoms such as high fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or other symptoms identified by health experts.
- have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
- have been outside Canada in the previous 14 days.
- are considered vulnerable or at risk (elderly persons, immunosuppressed persons, persons suffering from serious health problems, notably high blood pressure, pulmonary diseases, diabetes, obesity and asthma).

PREPARING TO PLAY

Wash your hands with disinfectant soap and water for at least 20 seconds before going to the club.
Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it before and after playing. Use hand sanitizer after touching any common surface, such as the gate, the court drying equipment, a net or a post.
Clean and disinfect your equipment, including your racquets and water bottles.
Do not share racquets, water bottles, towels and other personal items with other players.
Make sure you have enough water before leaving the house. The community building is closed and there will be no access to the water fountain and washrooms.
Consider wearing a mask or gloves while playing.
If you cough or sneeze, do so in a tissue or in a sleeve.
Avoid touching any surfaces and objects where the virus could survive. If you touch something, make sure to wash your hands and disinfect the surface you have touched.

WHILE PLAYING

Practice social distancing at all times. Keep a 2-metre distance from other players.
Avoid all physical contact. Do not shake hands, and do not do high-fives or elbow taps.
Do not touch your eyes, nose, mouth and face unless you have just cleaned your hands. If you cough or sneeze, do so in a tissue or in a sleeve.
Stay on your side of the court for the duration of your play. Do not switch ends. At breaks, respect the social distancing rules.
Because it is unknown if the virus can live on a tennis ball, bring your own balls and identify them as such with a marker. You could also use balls of a different colour than your partner's. Do not handle balls that belong to other players. Each server must use only their own balls and collect them before the other player serves (this rule also applies to ladder play). Use your feet and racquet to retrieve balls and return them to the server or to another court.
Sanitize your hands periodically during a match, or wear a disposable glove on your tossing hand and handle the ball only with that hand.
If your ball goes to another court, wait until the point on that court has finished and then ask for your ball to be returned. Do not go to another court to retrieve your ball if play is ongoing on that court.
Avoid sharing food, drinks, towels and any other personal items.

AFTER PLAYING

Leave the court and the club immediately after you finished playing.
Do not leave anything on the court. Whatever you bring with you onto the court, make sure you take it home after playing. There is no waste disposal on courts. Keep the courts clean and safe.
Wash your hands carefully with disinfectant soap and water or with hand sanitizer at the first opportunity.