Westmeath GAA county board executive have publicised unambiguous health and safety guidelines prior to the start of the football and hurling championships which commence the weekend of July 24.
All games will necessitate a ticket purchase with capacity curtailed to 500 persons per fixture. This figure relates to the participating teams, backroom staff, media, spectators and all personnel in a working capacity at the relevant fixtures.
“Limited tickets will be available for clubs to purchase from TEG Cusack Park and distribute amongst members. We are asking clubs to take into account supporters that attend all their club fixtures and may not be in a position to purchase a ticket online, and ask clubs to avail of the direct purchase option for them.
“Tickets will be priced at €10 each and there will be a refund at the match venue of €5 for students, OAPs and children under the age of 12.
“Tickets will also be on sale through Centra and Supervalu outlets and also online at https://westmeathgaa.tickets.ie/. Once purchased online these tickets can be either “printed at home” or downloaded to your phone for scanning at the venue,” Donie Malone, Westmeath GAA PRO, commented.
Pre championship fixture tickets will be available to purchase from Super Valu in Moate.
“Westmeath GAA understand that this may cause an inconvenience to patrons attending our fixtures, but in these unique and unprecedented times Westmeath GAA have taken these decisions in the interest of health and safety of all. We encourage all patrons attending to read the below guidelines from the NHSC,” Donie added.
NHSC Guidelines on return of spectators to GAA Club Games
Further guidelines have also been issued by the county board executive regarding the attendance of spectators at all championship games.
•Spectators should be aware that all the risks posed from Covid-19 cannot be eliminated, including attending GAA games but that essential control measures have been put in place to reduce risks for members.
•Spectators must not attend games if they display any symptoms of Covid-19 and instead should phone their GP and follow public health advice
•Individuals that are considered high risk or are in close contact with others who are considered high risk should not attend games (click here )
•Individuals must be informed that much of the responsibility for managing Covid-19 risk remains with themselves particularly in relation to social distancing, wearing of face coverings and sanitation
•All spectators should be encouraged to bring their own hand sanitiser
•The use of face coverings is strongly advised for all patrons over the age of 13
•Spectators must not enter the field of play at any time including pre-match, at half-time and other intervals and after the final whistle or at end-of-match presentations
•Spectators should be advised to keep their own record of contacts at a match for potential tracing purposes
•All spectators should be encouraged to download the HSE tracing app (click here )
•Where small groups of people are attending games, members of these should wherever possible be from the same household
•Individuals and small groups should remain insofar as possible in the same area for the duration of the game, remain 2m apart and avoid intermingling with other individuals or groups
•Before, between and after games it is essential that spectators do not congregate in groups in the vicinity of the grounds as social distancing and contact tracing measures will be compromised and the potential risk of transmission higher
