North East Victoria sport & return to play

Victoria’s gradual easing of restrictions

On Sunday 24 May, the Victorian Premier announced another series of moves to allow increased movement of citizens and a gradual easing of the current Stage 3 Covid-19 restrictions for the Victorian community, to be effective from 11:59pm Sunday 31 May 2020. 

This follows easing on restrictions from Monday 11 May and the Federal Government announcement’s in relation to a three stage roadmap to a COVID safe Australia along with the Australian Institute of Sport’s Rebooting Sport Framework. 

• Roadmap to a COVIDsafe Australia
• 3 Step framework for a COVIDsafe Australia
• AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport

Sport and Recreation Victoria (SRV) also have published new guidance to support sport and recreation organisations with their return to play plans.

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

In a continuance from current restrictions easing, extension to the community sport and recreation activities can be undertaken according to the following rules:

From 11:59pm on 25 May 

• public playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks will open with a maximum of 10 people allowed to use equipment at any one time.

From 11:59pm on 31 May 

• up to 20 people can participate in group sport and exercise activities but it must be outside and non-contact. 
• Up to 20 people can use public playgrounds, outdoor gyms and skateparks
• Sport and exercise activities are only allowed if you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart) and they are not competitive.
• Indoor and outdoor swimming pools can be opened to a maximum of 20 patrons per separate enclosed space, subject to the four square metre rule calculated on the publicly accessible area excluding the pool and a limit of 3 persons per lane in each pool. 
• Communal showers and change rooms remain closed. Poor ventilation and the shared nature of these facilities increase the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission. Toilets can be used.
  You should also ensure toilets are in working condition with soap provided, and increased cleaning as appropriate. 
• Venues with multiple separate enclosed spaces must ensure there are measures in place to limit close contact between patrons in shared spaces such as foyers and bathrooms.
• All indoor venues will need to abide by existing physical distancing requirements of one person per four square metres – limits will be placed on entry to ensure compliance with this.
• Increased hygiene measures for staff and patrons will be required. They must be informed of the need to practice physical distancing of 1.5 metres, good hand hygiene, and stay home if they feel unwell.
• We are working closely with industry associations and workers’ representatives to ensure clear, detailed and practical guidance is in place for different types of businesses. 

From 11:59pm on 21 June 

• 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.
• Up to 10 people are allowed per group/activity, such as a pilates or pump class, at any one time. The class instructor is not counted as part of the 10.
• Sport and exercise activities are only allowed if you can keep your distance (at least 1.5 metres apart) and they are not competitive.
• Use your own equipment where possible and minimise sharing of equipment. Shared equipment should be cleaned between uses.

The easing of restrictions means that community sport and active recreation associations and clubs can now plan and gradually roll out a return to activity.

A full list of activities and how the current restrictions apply is now available on the SRV website.

What does this mean for North East Victoria Community Sport?

Community sport clubs, leagues and associations in North East Victoria are encouraged to prepare ‘return to play’ plans. 

Club’s will receive templates to use from your State Sporting Association once your sports’ over arching ‘return to play’ plan is completed. Local Government’s and/or recreation reserve committees may require clubs to demonstrate how they are going to comply with the current restrictions before allowing access to community facilities.

It is the responsibility of every club to ensure the safety of its participants, members, volunteers and staff, and ensure that it operates within the current restrictions.

The most up to date advice for Victorian community sport is available on the SRV website HERE.

A comprehensive list of Sport Specific Advice and Information is HERE.

Assistance for clubs with return to play plans

For club’s, leagues or associations needing assistance in developing their ‘Return to Play’ plan once they have received the template from their State Sporting Association, please contact Sport North East on: sportnortheast@thecentre.vic.edu.au, (03) 5721 0200 or contact your local Sport North East Project Coordinator directly:

• Alpine Shire: Rhiannon Froude – 03 5721 0249
• Indigo Shire: Jason Townsend – 03 5721 0230
• Towong Shire & Rural City of Wangaratta: Shankar Menon – 03 5721 0241
• City of Wodonga: Felicity Munro – 03 5721 0250