Collective effort spread far & wide
Industry stakeholders weigh in with efforts of their own to help thwart the pandemic
AS the authorities continue their unrelenting task of trying to curb the recent spike in the number of Covid-19 cases across the nation, so too is the golf industry weighing in with efforts of its own, designed to help thwart the pandemic.
With several areas being subjected to varying degrees of lock-down this week as the Health Ministry stepped up its efforts to contain the spread of the virus, it also emerged that the golf industry, spearheaded by golf clubs and to some extent the retail sector, had put in place added measures of their own to stem the tide.
Speaking to TeeUp , Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) secretary Datuk Zulkifli Ismail said they were monitoring the situation and continued to encourage the game’s local stakeholders to adhere to the safety and health standard operating procedures (SOPs) handed down by the ministry.
“We are as concerned as everyone else about the recent spike in the number of new cases,” said Zulkifli . “And as such, we are monitoring the situation and maintain that the stakeholders in Malaysian golf should implement the safety and health SOPs without exception, and do all they can to help alleviate the problem.”
All the clubs TeeUp spoke to this week about the matter, said they were indeed, doing their best to combat the pandemic, and in some cases had introduced measures of their own that they saw fit to counter the spread of the Covid-19 virus.
While some clubs have enhanced the SOPs with stricter enforcement, others have stopped just short of closing down operations, suspending the admission of guests and visitors, thus allowing only members into the club.
Kelab Golf Negara Subang (KGNS) and Royal Selangor Golf Club (RSG) in Kuala Lumpur are such venues that have banned the admission of guests and visitors.
In a notice to their members, KGNS said: “In view of the current development of Covid-19 cases in Selangor as announced by the Ministry of Health, the management committee has decided that with effect from Oct 3 (last week Saturday), non-members, guests and reciprocal members will not be allowed to enter the club until further notice.”
Of course, measures such as these might be viewed as rather harsh by some folks. However, it is the right thing to do if the management committee feels it warrants action of this nature.
Glenmarie Golf & Country Club for their part introduced a “travel declaration” to be undertaken before entry into the club.
In a notice to their members, the club said: “In view of the spike in Covid-19 cases, we would like to advise all patrons to complete travelling declarations prior to entering the clubhouse. The travelling declarations are compulsory and shall be effective immediately. Forms are available at our golf counter.
“Please note that we shall prohibit entry to all who exhibit Covid-19 symptoms or who have travelled to red zone areas in the past 14 days.
“This will be enforced by the management to curb the possible spread of Covid-19 as your health is our utmost priority.”
Also, in a communique to their members and visitors, Tropicana Gold Resort & Country Resort confirmed that “two employees, who have not stepped into the premises since Sept 17, had tested positive for Covid-19 during the quarantine period and are currently being treated at a government hospital. These are separate cases, but both with a tarvelling history to Sabah.”
“The management of TGCR assures all members and visitors that these two cases are isolated cases and have been attended to immediately upon identification, in compliance with the Ministry of Health guidelines...
“All close contacts with the affected employees have undergone Covid-19 tests. As of today (Oct 7), official confirmation on the test results of these employees taken were all negative. The two cases are well managed and under control due to the swift action taken by the management of TGCR together with the authorities...
“As a precautionary measure, TGCR has immediately carried out and completed thorough sanitisation and disinfection throughout the premises in accordance with the Safety and Heath Guidelines issued by the MOH (Ministry of Health), and is increasing the frequency of such processes on a daily basis in securing timely and accurate updates to the matter effectively and efficiently.
“The management of TGCR has taken note of the misinformation that is being circulated; rest assured that the two employees are not part of the caddy or F&B team(s).”
The Royal Kampung Kuantan Golf Club also urged their members to remain diligent in these trying times.
The notice to their members on Oct 1, read: “Members who have returned from Sabah recently, please refrain yourself from coming to the club for the next 14 days.
“Your cooperation will be much appreciated by the management and members of Royal Kampung Kuantan. This is to avoid a new Covid-19 cluster.”