25 Jun Stakeholder Update. Sport Recreation and Racing. 24 June 2020
Over the weekend, the Premier announced a tightening of the rules in response to the recent rise in case numbers of coronavirus (COVID-19).
From 11:59pm on 21 June, the Victorian Chief Health Officer has approved community sport and physical recreation activities can resume under the latest Restricted Activity Directions:
For physical recreational facilities:
• Outdoor and indoor sports venues and physical recreational facilities (for example, gyms, health clubs, class-based fitness studios, dance studios and personal training facilities) can open.
• For physical recreation, multiple separate zones may be created within a larger indoor space. To be considered a zone, the area must be for the exclusive use of a group and be no less than 200 square metres. For example, a large indoor court could be separated into two zones for different groups at each end. Signage must be displayed at the entry to each indoor zone or indoor space outlining the maximum number of people allowed at a single time.
• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can have a maximum of 20 patrons per pool. There is no limit on the number of people in each lane. The four-square metre rule applies to the non-water parts of the facility.
• Playcentres, including trampolining, can now open for up to 20 people per space or zone.
• Communal facilities, such as clubrooms and change rooms, can now open for indoor and outdoor sport venues applying the four-square metre rule to each enclosed space. Signage must be displayed at the entry to each indoor space outlining the maximum number of people allowed at a single time.
• Spas and saunas remain closed.
• Sporting clubs that operate a restaurant, café or canteen within its facility may reopen with take-away and limited dine-in arrangements, provided it strictly adheres to the restrictions on hospitality venues including up to 20 patrons per enclosed space and in groups of up to 10, subject to the four-square metre rule.
For physical recreation activities:
• For outdoor physical recreation, no more than 20 people per group for all age groups.
• For indoor physical recreation, adults will be able to practise indoors with up to 20 people per zone, as long as the four-square metre rule is met. Individual group classes must have no more than 10 participants,
• For indoor physical recreation, if all participants are under 18 years of age, they can practice indoors with up to 20 per zone and 20 per group, as long as the four square metre rule is met.
For organised community sport activities:
• Organised non-contact training and competition are allowed for all age groups where participants can stay 1.5 metres apart.
• For people aged 18 years and under, full-contact community sport training and competition may resume.
• For organised community sport, both indoors and outdoors, the minimum number participants required to conduct the sport should participate in the activity. The rules of the sport governing body (e.g. the State Sporting Association) determine the number that can participate (ie. the number who would normally be involved in a match or training, including players on the field/court and allowed substitutes). This applies even if it exceeds the density quotient or group limit on the venue.
• For example, 20 players for a game of basketball or 26 players for a game of water polo. Please note, that as these activities are considered contact-sport, only those aged 18 or under can participate.
• If indoors, spectators should not attend – just those necessary for the competition or training and to support the participants (e.g. supervising parents).
• Spectators for outdoor training and competitions must abide by gathering restrictions – spectators should be in groups of no more than 10 and spread out around the ground or venue. The group of 10 does not include those necessary for the activity to occur, such as the umpire or trainer and a parent or carer supporting a person with a disability to participate.
• From mid-July – subject to the advice of Victoria’s Chief Health Officer and the continued management of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), adults can resume full-contact training from 13 July and full-contact competition from 20 July.
Updated guidelines, FAQs and resources are now available on the Sport and Recreation Victoria website. State Sporting Associations (SSAs) can continue to submit Return to Play plans aligned with the CHO Directions for advice and guidance from our Expert Advisory Panel via the eform on the website.
For high performance and professional sport, the guidelines remain unchanged. The team at Sport and Recreation Victoria are continuing to work with teams, National Sporting Organisations and DHHS on ways to support high performance and professional sport to return to play in the safest way possible.
For the racing industry, Racing Victoria, Harness Racing Victoria and Greyhound Racing Victoria are updating industry protocols regarding the return of owners and other governance officials to the racetrack.
It is vital that all participants – whether it be in community sport, active recreation, professional sport or racing – do their bit in slowing the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) by sticking to the restrictions.
Stay safe by washing your hands, keeping your distance from others, and staying home if you feel unwell. If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID19) you should get tested.
Please visit the DHHS website and SRV website to read the latest information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and restrictions on sport and recreation. 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.
For State Sporting Associations and community sport, please note that applications are still open for the Community Sport Sector Short-term Survival Package.
Grants of $1000 are available to clubs across the state, as well as grants of up to $15,000 for eligible associations and leagues.
Applications are closing Tuesday 30 June 2020, and I strongly encourage you to make your affiliated clubs, leagues and associations aware of this funding.