As many of you know now, the TBA Management Committee decided to close the TBA for a period of four weeks from Monday March 16th as a result of the outbreak of COVID-19 in Australia. Unfortunately Tasmania is not immune with 28 cases having being diagnosed here.
This was a reluctant decision for the committee, but as it is difficult to maintain “separation” at the bridge table, we were left with no other choice.
This closure means that the TBA facilities including the premises, dealing machine, boards and cards etc are not available for use by any member during the period of the closure.
This also means the postponement of the AGM until social distancing measures have been deemed unnecessary. There are many other organisations in the same situation, and the relevant authorities have waived the normal requirements around timing of AGMs.
The committee met again yesterday (23 March, keeping our distances!) to consider alternative options for our members.
The TBA has decided to try to establish a “private room” on Bridge Base Online (BBO) so that you can choose to play with and against other TBA members when you feel like a game or some practice. To engage with this activity you should register your BBO username with the TBA (see here). We’ll keep you updated with our progress on this measure.
Ron Klinger is providing a free daily bridge column to the ABF which us available here.
Joan Butts has also offered a month’s free utilisation of her Online School of Bridge although you will have to pay $15 per month if you wish to continue for longer than a month. Joan's offer can be viewed here.
The Committee will meet again on April 6th to review our situation.
Our aim is to reopen the club as soon as it is safe to do so.
In the meantime stay healthy and safe and catch up with all that reading you have been meaning to do!
Kind regards
President, TBA