The Golf Club Managers Association of Malaysia (GCMAM) has released a recommended Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) guide for golf clubs to guard against Covid-19 once they are allowed to resume operations.
In an advisory sent to its members and published on social media yesterday, the association set out an extensive list of SOP recommendations, while noting that “all golf rules & regulations set by the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) and the Ministry of Health of Malaysia (MOH) and all/or other government authorities must be adhered to.”
The GCMAM guidelines mirror those released by the Malaysian Golf Association as far as golfing is concerned, while expanding on other aspects of club operations such as sports facilities, F&B outlets, office procedures and staff management.
Golf clubs, retail outlets, driving ranges and other golf-related businesses nationwide have been shut down since March 18 when the Movement Control Order was enforced to curtail the spread of Covid-19. Most will be allowed to resume operations on May 4 under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin during his Labour Day address, except those located in states which have elected to defer the implementation of the CMCO.
The GCMAM guidelines include the following:
Sports Facilities
- Indoor sports must be temporarily closed as contact sports are not allowed as per the guidelines received from the MOH, i.e. badminton and tennis is allowed but swimming is not, etc.
- Bars, Karaoke & live band lounges, movie theatres and other crowd activities … clubs are advised to abide by the recommendations set by the MOH.
Office Procedures
- Temperature check and hand sanitising is compulsory for each staff before entering the golf club.
- Staff with any cold or cough or any symptoms of COVID-19 should be advised not to work and must receive immediate medical attention.
- Hand sanitisers and face masks are to be provided to staff for use during their daily movement.
- Coordination of minimum staff working at one time is recommended to be practiced to reduce a high number of workers in the office at any one time.
- Gatherings and meetings are to be avoided while online conference meetings should be focused on.
- Staff is to minimise meetings with clients or golfers.
- Avoid handshakes and the touching of any material that is found not to be sanitised properly.
F&B Outlets (Restaurants, Halfway Huts & Staff Canteens)
- All F&B Outlets are advised to abide by the recommendations set by the MOH.
- Dine-in customers shall abide by social distancing practices, i.e. only half the seats occupied per table.
- Group meal gatherings are to be avoided.
- Takeaway food & beverages are recommended.
Golf Course Maintenance Staff
- Temperature check and hand sanitising is compulsory for each staff before entering the golf club.
- Staff with any colds or coughs or any symptoms of COVID-19 should be advised not to work and must receive immediate medical attention.
- Hand sanitisers and face masks are to be provided to staff for use during their daily movement.
- Machinery to be sanitised before and after each usage.
- Staff to minimise meetings with golfers.
- Gatherings and meetings are to be avoided while online conference meetings should be focused on.
