Coronavirus (COVID-19) update, 17 March 2020

Tuesday 17 March 2020, 17:00

Dear Member,

ICE RINK WILL CLOSE AFTER PLAY ON WEDNESDAY 18th MARCH

Your Directors have been closely monitoring the rapidly developing situation concerning the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, assessing and considering sometimes conflicting and contradictory advice issued.

While that advice currently does not require or even request pubs and clubs to close (and golf clubs, gyms and coffee shops are still open today) the Directors recognise that while some members are still willing to play, others are not. Equally, while preserving individual choice is important, it must be increasingly difficult for club secretaries and skips to organise members and rinks in a sensible way. It is also accepted that some cancellations have occurred and others must be expected.

Accordingly, and after consultation with some Clubs and secretaries, it has been decided that, to allow as orderly a wind down as possible, the rink will close for the season after the final session of play tomorrow (Wednesday 18th March). In the interim all risk reducing activities will continue. All staff have been consulted and we are confident they wish to continue at work. Meantime we apologise for those inevitably affected by the decision.

Rescheduling

The Directors recognise that many clubs have leagues etc approaching but not yet reaching conclusion. To help find the rightful owners of season 19/20 trophies it is expected that the rink will open early next season, perhaps by a couple of weeks, and we would invite all clubs affected by the early closure to contact the office in the next few days and weeks so that we can plan to accommodate your postponed games.

Finally, we wish you the best of health in this very difficult period.

Norman Watt, Chairman, on behalf of Murrayfield Curling Limited