21/08/2020
Court cleaning recommendations – during the COVID-19 pandemic
Version 1.1: Published 23 July 2020
Squash courts are a unique sports facility, which require specific care and maintenance to keep them in optimum
playing condition. This also means that they present a challenge to reducing the risk of transmitting COVID19. The aim of this guide is to provide practical advice and supporting measures to help courts/venues keep their
members and workforce as safe as possible. England Squash has worked with approved contractors to develop
the following guidance.
Prevention first
The primary and most effective step to reducing risk of transmission for squash clubs/venues is to promote
personal hygiene to the individuals participating. This means introducing and enforcing a range of actions for
your members, including:
1. Hand hygiene – members must wash hands for at least 20 seconds and use hand sanitizer before
entering the court. Hand sanitizer and alcohol-based wipes should be made available at key points in
the club e.g. entry and exit points, court doors.
2. Do not touch the walls or court floor – we strongly recommend this rule is strictly imposed across all
clubs. If a player accidentally touches a wall or court floor they should stop and immediately sanitize
their hands.
3. Only one person to open/close the court door – only one player going on court should touch the door.
4. Only one person to touch the ball – only one player should touch the ball throughout the duration of
play.
Cleaning common surfaces and contact-points
Clubs/venues must take responsibility to clean commonly touched surfaces and contact-points in between each
court booking as part of the COVID-19 secure plan. Points to consider include:
• Identify the common contact points in your club/venue as part of your risk assessment e.g. door handles,
light switches, taps etc.
• Provide suitable cleaning materials for members to clean these surfaces, including spray disinfectant and
alcohol-based wipes made available at key points in the club e.g. entry and exit points, court doors. This
must be in addition to a thorough cleaning schedule undertaken by a responsible member of the
workforce/staff.
• Allow for more time in between bookings than usual for cleaning to take place.
Cleaning court walls and floors
Squash court walls and floors are particularly sensitive to disinfectant and/or constant soaking and therefore
cannot be ‘deep cleaned’ on a regular basis without potentially damaging them. This means that there is an
increased likelihood of there being traces of the COVID-19 virus on court surfaces. However, there are some
measures in addition to those outlined above which can be implemented, with the aim of reducing the risk,
including:
• Spot cleaning – where a member knowingly touches the floor wall, or drops sweat or bodily fluids, they
should use an alcohol-based cleaning wipe to clean that area immediately (do not use a towel). Any
liquid should be dried off immediately with a separate dry cloth (i.e. paper towel).
• Dry mop – use a dry mop at the start and end of every day (where the court has been used) on the
floors and walls. Disinfect the mop(s) overnight and rotate multiple mops if possible.
• Close courts – where possible and practical to do so, rotate the courts that you use, allowing for a court
to be closed for periods of at least 72 hours.
• Keep your usual maintenance routines – supplement your usual court maintenance routines with the
recommendations made here. You know your courts best, including how they have been treated in the
past.
• Ask for advice – If you are unsure of the best way to maintain your courts contact one of our approved
court care contractors, for any specific advice.
(Note: these measures are not guaranteed to kill/remove the COVID-19 virus fully)
Additional considerations
• Inform your members what you expect from them and what they can expect from you. It is important that
individuals also take responsibility for themselves and others, only by communicating this widely can you
expect people to do so.
• Don’t cut corners! The safety of your workforce/staff and members is paramount.
• If you continue to have concerns about the safety of your workforce/staff and members, you must be
prepared to keep your club/venue closed until you are able to put mitigating safety measures in place.
Please refer to additional information available from UK Government sources:
• UK Government Guidelines - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid19/providers-of-grassroots-sport-and-gym-leisure-facilities
• Public Health England Advice - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/public-health-england
• HSE Guidelines - https://www.hse.gov.uk/news/coronavirus.htm
A list of the England squash Approved Contractors can be found on englandsquash.com
Re-directing to Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest information and advice - HSE You are being re-directed, if nothing happens, please follow this link
