The committee of the Harps Senior Club were informed this afternoon (Monday 3rd August 2020) that a member of a Park-Rathineska/Timahoe (PRT) team was tested for covid-19 on Sunday 2nd August 2020 and received a positive result on Monday 3rd August 2020. This player had played for PRT v Harps Junior B team on Saturday 1st August 2020 at 7pm in the Harps grounds, Durrow. The committee immediately contacted the Laois County Board, the GAA website and the HSE.

The GAA guidelines say that those playing with/against a player who test positive for Covid 19 are deemed casual contacts and NOT close contacts: “To date it appears to us in the risk assessments that have taken place anyone who is outdoors hasn’t to date been considered a close contact… Where activities are outdoors it appears players are being considered casual rather than close contacts in those circumstances by public health, not by us”. The guidelines recommend that Public Health advice should be followed. The committee contacted the HSE who confirmed that players are deemed casual contacts and that they can continue to act as normal unless they feel that they have symptoms of covid 19 in which case they should self-isolate and seek a test.

This matter should refocus all persons involved in sports at the moment of the importance of following public health guidelines regarding the reconfirmation of the health questionnaire before every session, the use of hand sanitiser and recording attendance at training/matches.

Stay safe,
The Harps Committee.