Covid-19 Update #2 December 2020
Posted: Wed, 9th Dec 2020
Including an updated covid safety plan, event numbers and further easing of restrictions.
NSW Chief Medical Officer most recent Public Health Orders can be found here
Full release from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian can be found here
In summary the NSW Government have advised the following key points that relate specifically to PCA NSW to be forwarded to Clubs in your Zone:
- From Monday, 7 December 2020, interregional community sporting competitions may recommence without restricting these activities to regions or zones, where there is a COVID-19 Safety Plan for the community sport activity in place.
- More than one parent may now attend community sporting activities if physical distancing of at least 1.5 metres can be maintained between people that are not from the same household.
- Community sporting organisations and participants should continue to avoid shared travel arrangements such as car-pooling, and to minimise gatherings before and after the event.
PCA NSW members:
- May now travel to attend activities and events outside of their LGA where the organising committee allows, organising committees must include their risk mitigation strategies for this activity in their risk assessment documents and may determine that they do not have the resources to allow members from outside their LGA, Club or Zone to occur at this time.
- Overnight stays may commence under strict COVID-19 Safe Practices - NO dormitories allowed, organising committees must include their risk mitigation strategies for this activity in their risk assessment documents and may determine that they do not have the resources for overnight stays to occur at this time.
- Clubs and zones must complete a risk assessment and Covid Safety plan for all activities including competitions, rally days, multiple day training activities, regional schools, instructor schools and NCAS assessment and submit a copy to the state office prior to the activity for insurance purposes.
- Risk assessments should include details relating to the whole activity not just those relating to reducing the spread of Covid, the example below in the download section can be used to start this process
- Keep a copy of the completed risk assessment and Covid Safety Plan on the grounds to provide to NSW Health authorities (fines may be applied for those clubs who do not have or are not following Covid Safety Plans of $1,000 each) in the event that they conduct a spot check, these plans should be reviewed and updated after each activity to streamline the process
- Exclusion of anyone who seems unwell or has recently travelled to ‘Covid affected areas or hotspots’ as list on NSW Health website
- Clubs and zones must monitor NSW Health website and revise and update these plans accordingly regarding restriction of attendees from Covid hotspots
- Communicate clearly to all members your expectations on their attendance including but not limited to the following:
- Nomination process
- Both parents/caregivers may now attend however restrition of other attendees to apply where possible
- Providing contactless options to nominate, provide Covid self-declarations, canteen orders etc. all Check in's must be contactless under NSW Health orders please see FAQ's about the COVID-Safe check in process here
- Communicate new practice surround gear check (still contactless as per example risk assessment)
- Communicate details of PPE available noting that members should also carry their own personal hand sanitiser and we strongly recommend that attendees wear face masks including riders when they are not riding
- Provide signage at the venue to remind members about social distancing and good hygiene practices
Further information and Q & A from the Office of Sport here
NSW Health have updated the COVID-19 Safety Plan templates
We hope that these guidelines help Organising Committees determine the level of risk for your activity and whether or not the activity/event may go ahead based on the risk mitigation processed in place and the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in your area.
Please note that one of the NSW Health actionable items it for sporting organisations to "Take all reasonable steps to minimise the number of spectators attending community sport events"
Clubs must contact their venue owners (Council, Trusts etc.) to confirm that the grounds are available for use and have completed their own risk assessment document for their venue. Clubs need to sumbit a copt of their resumption of sport risk assessment to the State Office.
Members must comply with the PCA NSW, NSW Health Guidelines and NSW Public Health Orders so that they do not compromise their position in the event of an insurance claim.
We do not want our sport/clubs to be the next COVID-19 cluster so if someone is not well they should stay at home or be sent home.
With the everchanging nature of the situation please keep up to date with the latest Government advice and Public Health orders.
Allow 1 person per 2 square metres for outdoor community sport activities only
The 2 square metre rule for organised outdoor events with a maximum number of people allowed attending an event lifted to 3,000. See here for tips on how to minimise risk at sporting events.
Physical distancing means reducing the close physical contact we have with one another and staying 1.5 metres away from people we don't live with - read more here.
