LBS board: we draw conclusions and eliminate mistakes

The Board of the Latvian Basketball Union has evaluated the experience of the first games of the Latvian Basketball League in connection with the implementation of epidemiological safety measures to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection. It has been established that several places have made serious mistakes in the organization of games, which pose a threat to public health and may endanger the course of future competitions.

The management of Latvian basketball leagues, in cooperation with clubs, is tasked with ensuring compliance with the restrictions adopted in the country and the requirements of LBS regulatory documents in all tournament games organized by the Latvian Basketball Union.

Director of Latvian basketball leagues Kristaps Janičenoks:

“The first official games of the season have shown that Latvian fans are longing for basketball, and emotions sometimes prevail over caution. We, the organizers of the competition, were not completely ready for such a situation. Although all the necessary documents have been accepted and we have talked a lot with the representatives of the clubs about how to act in various possible situations, the practice offered unforeseen challenges. We’ve identified the bugs and will fix them in future games. At the same time, I urge basketball fans to be aware of the various restrictions that have been adopted in order to protect the health of both participants and spectators as much as possible, and competitions in Latvian leagues could take place in accordance with the game calendar. ”

In order to strengthen epidemiological safety measures, the LBS Board has clarified and supplemented the “Procedures for Implementing Epidemiological Safety Measures to Limit the Spread of Covid-19 Infection in Basketball Competitions Organized by the Latvian Basketball Union”, which has been in force since September 18, 2020:

• Item 7.2 shall be reworded as follows: “7.2. in compliance with Cabinet Regulation no. 360 61.⁴ Subparagraph 4, Club / Team before each official match of the tournament organized by LBS together with the team’s application for the game (not later than 20 minutes before the game), submit to the game commissioner (Pafbet Latvian-Estonian League, Ramirent National Basketball League and Latvian Cup) or game secretary (Douglas Baltic League) and Regional League) certificates completed and signed by the participants (Appendix No.1). The certificates are also filled in and signed by the judges of the playground and the secretariat (Appendix No.2);
• Section 8.5. is supplemented ”8.5. Viewers who do not come from the same household, while in the stands / hall, a distance of 2 (two) meters must be observed between each other, as well as in relation to the team and the referee’s / secretariat areas, Spectators must be in the stands / halluse mouth and nose pads (except for children under 13 years of age). Medical, non-medical or hygienic masks, as well as visors and face shields can be used as mouth and nose masks. It is recommended not to let spectators into the hall after the start of the game.
• Item 8.7. is expressed in a new wording: 8.7. the club / team hosting the game, to be determined the maximum number of spectators allowed in the stands / hall in compliance with the requirements specified in Cabinet Regulation No. 360, but not more than in the amount of 50% of the official capacity of the hall. About the number of viewers allowed until 9 October the chief referee of the Latvian basketball leagues must be informed;
• Item 8.8. is reworded as follows: “8.8. We recommend selling tickets remotely. If ticket sales are planned at the competition venue or a visit with invitations is planned, it is recommended to use online electronic ticketing systems to distribute tickets or invitations;
• “Procedure” is supplemented by paragraph 9 et seq.

9. Controls and sanctions

9.1. Pafbet instructed the game commissioners of the Latvian-Estonian League and the Ramirent National League to pay increased attention to Clause 8.5 of this “Order”. delaying the start of the game or interrupting the game until the infringements have been remedied, if necessary. In such cases, the losses caused to the League by the delay of the games shall be borne by the home club.

Penalty for paragraph 8.5. the home club Pafbet in the Latvian-Estonian league, the Latvian Cup and the Ramirent National League – up to 1500 EUR and must be removed without spectators in subsequent games.

9.2. In tournaments where the commissioners do not work – Douglas Baltic League and Regional League – the senior referee of the game is obliged to draw the attention of the representative of the home club to point 8.5. violations and, in case of non-prevention, to inform the Chief Referee of the Latvian League after the game.

Penalty for paragraph 8.5. non-elimination of the violation in the Douglas Baltic League and Regional League – up to 1500 EUR and in subsequent games must be removed without spectators.

9.3. Clubs represented in the Douglas Baltic League and Regional League are strongly advised to consider the possibility of ensuring that the requirements of this “Procedure” are met and, if necessary, to hold games without the presence of spectators.

The additions will take effect on October 9, 2020.

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