Stakeholder Update. Sport Recreation and Racing. 2 June 2020

02 Jun Stakeholder Update. Sport Recreation and Racing. 2 June 2020

Thanks to progress in slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), restrictions on sport and recreation have eased under the latest Directions from the Victorian Chief Health Officer.

From 11:59pm on 31 May 2020, the Victorian Chief Health Officer has approved all community sport and recreation activities can resume according to the following rules:
• Groups of up to 20 people are permitted outdoors (or people from the same household), plus a coach/instructor or the minimum number of support staff reasonably required to run the activity.
• Parents or other people are required to keep a reasonable distance from groups in an outdoor setting or will be included in the group of 20.
No indoor activity – indoor physical recreation facilities must remain closed.
• Maintain physical distancing of 1.5 metres wherever reasonably possible.
• All activity and training must be non-contact, and no competitions are to take place. Contact sports must be modified so that you can maintain 1.5m distance.
• Outdoor communal gyms, playgrounds or skateparks are open. People cannot gather in groups of more than 20.
• Outdoor and indoor swimming pools can operate with a maximum of 20 people and a limit of three people per lane of each pool.
• No use of communal showers or change rooms, however toilets can open.
• Saunas and spas remain closed.
• Club houses may reopen with a maximum of 20 people in a single indoor space and subject to the four per square metre rule. Restaurants or cafes within these facilities must adhere to the restrictions on restaurants and cafes. Facility operator must remain on site whenever open to ensure group numbers do not exceed capacity.
• If the activity is run by an operator of a physical recreation facility predominantly used for indoor physical recreation (such as a gym, health club or fitness centre), a personal training facility (indoors or outdoors) or an arena or stadium, then the operator must keep a record of attendees. No shared equipment that touches the head or face or cannot be effectively cleaned i.e. soft materials or clothing.
• No shared equipment that touches the head or face or cannot be effectively cleaned i.e. soft materials or clothing.
• Hand hygiene, frequent environmental cleaning and disinfection, use of own equipment where possible and minimise sharing of equipment.

From 11:59pm on 21 June, restrictions on sport and exercise may be further eased to include:
• Indoor sports centres and venues can be opened with up to 20 people allowed per separate enclosed space, subject to the four square metre rule, with up to 10 people per group or activity.
• Indoor physical recreation (e.g. gyms, health clubs, class fitness studios) can be opened with up to 20 people allowed per separate enclosed space, subject to the four square metre rule, with up to 10 people per group or activity.
• Sport and exercise activities are only allowed if you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart) and they are not competitive.

The Sport and Recreation Victoria website has been updated with the latest information on the easing of restrictions and how your organisation can be supported with its return to play plans. Plans submitted voluntarily by SSAs from 1 June will need to address the updated CHO Directions.

High performance and professional sport is continuing to be supported to return to play as soon as possible. This will ensure players, coaches, trainers and support staff can return to their place of work and resume their jobs.
However, as high performance and professional sports teams will be training under strict risk mitigation measures, spectators will not be allowed at training or matches at this point in time.

The racing industry is continuing to operate under strict biosecurity controls, and we will continue to engage with Racing Victoria, Greyhound Racing Victoria and Harness Racing Victoria to understand how they can be better supported under the current restrictions.

Once again, I would like to thank you for the role you and your organisation have played in helping slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The easing of restrictions mean that Victorians can begin to get back to the sport and recreation activities they love, however it’s important we stick to the physical distancing restrictions to ensure Victoria’s good progress in limiting the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) isn’t lost.

The situation continues to change and we urge you to regularly check coronavirus.vic.gov.au for updates.

If you have any queries about the updated restrictions for sport and recreation or the guidance available to your organisation, please first visit the DHHS website and SRV website to read the latest information. For any additional queries, please contact the DHHS COVID-19 hotline 1800 675 398 and select option two to speak to someone who can help or email info@sport.vic.gov.au.