Dear All,
We have all been made aware of the development and spread of the Covid-19 virus over the last few months through various media and now that the first cases have arrived in Ireland, we need to make a careful assessment of our activity and the precautions needed to reduce the risks for our members.
All clubs are asked to act responsibly and follow the protocols recommended by the HSE and Department of Health. Most are listed below, but please check official health websites for any updates -
Do
Wash your hands properly and often.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough and sneeze.
Put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are not well.
Follow the Travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs

Don't
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Wash your hands
You should wash your hands:

• after coughing or sneezing
• after toilet use
• before eating
• before and after preparing food
• if you are in contact with a sick person, especially those with respiratory symptoms
• if your hands are dirty
• if you have handled animals or animal waste

If a player is displaying any symptoms, they should not come to bridge.
If they have returned from an area where the virus is known to be active, they should not attend a session of bridge for at least two weeks.
I would ask that you pass this message on to your members as soon as possible – definitely not to induce a sense of panic – but to make them aware of how they can contribute to their own and their fellow members’ safety. If you have a
At its meeting yesterday, the CBAI Governing Council decided to postpone all National Competitions between now and the end of April. The Irish Bridge Union joined in with the postponement of the Burke and O’Connor Inter County Team Competitions which were due to be contested next weekend in the Cavan Crystal Hotel. Decisions will be made on any further IBU competitions for this season very shortly
If it is feasible, and if the possibility of infection from this virus is eliminated, the National Competitions will be rescheduled during the summer months.
CBAI will review the situation at Easter and will make any necessary decisions about further National events that are currently scheduled before the end of this season.

Message from Bernadette Coggins Chairperson Greystones Bridge Centre Committee
Dear all,
On behalf of the board I wish to thank you all for your ongoing concern and good sense as we work our way through these days of concern around COVID 19.
The board have put up in the centre the relevant notices from the HSE regarding personal self care and personal responsibilities  around the ‘DOs
and DON’Ts in relation to this virus.
The HSE website specifically states ‘Do not wear gloves instead of washing your hands.
The virus gets on them in the same way it gets on your hands.
Also, your hands can get contaminated when you take them off.
Using face masks is unlikely to be of any benefit if you are not sick.
HSE .ie/conditions/Coronavirus/protect-yourself.html
SOME SPECIFIC POINTS TO NOTE:
1. The virus does not spread through air conditioning units as it needs direct contact from an infected person’s droplets in cough or sneeze or indirectly through contact with surface an infected person has coughed or sneezed on.
Also you should note our air conditioning unit was serviced, and filters changed, 3 weeks ago.
So please use the air conditioning when bridge is in session.
2. Please use all three rooms for every bridge session regardless of table numbers.
Do not just have doors open but spread out play through 3 rooms (please remember to turn on heating switch for end room!!).
3. We have checked the water heaters for all sinks in the centre as using hot water is essential for effective hand washing.
Please turn on water heaters one in ladies, second in disabled toilet which heats water for gents toilet also.
Heater in kitchen (switch over sink) heats water for kitchen and bar.
Please remember to turn them all OFF at end of session!!!
4. We have supplied Dettol wipes to be used on BridgeMates before and after bridge.
They may also be used to wipe down door handles and light switches.
We have also supplied Dettol spray for the bar tables and kitchen.
The board is maintaining the entire situation under daily review.
At present the centre remains open as usual.
However we urge everyone to use their own personal judgment about their personal participation in their bridge clubs.
Everyone has a responsibility to maintain good hand and respiratory hygiene in order to protect themselves and others.
Our centre is a very important part in the social lives of many of our members.
As many people become concerned and worried about this virus a game of bridge may be essential for the mental and emotional well being of some of our members.
But each president must be mindful of any member who is unwilling to come to bridge.
And I would suggest you share this email all your committee members.
Should the decision to keep the centre open be altered by the health authorities we will be in touch.
In the meantime we proceed, with all the caution required, and endeavour to actually enjoy our bridge as well!
Kind regards
Bernadette Coggins
Chairperson