The Acting Minister for Sport, Dr Geoff Lee, announced this morning on Ben Fordham’s 2GB radio program, that “adult (over 18 years old) community sport can recommence at the same time as 18 years and under from the start of next month, as the NSW Government lifts more COVID-19 restrictions.”
The Media Release is shown below.
It should be noted that, until advised otherwise, all sports are still subject to the current NSW Public Health Orders until 1 July 2020, including:
• Gatherings (training) are still restricted to groups of no more than 10 people;
• Physical distancing rules still apply;
• No training involving contact allowed;
• Change rooms to remain closed – toilets may be available for use. If a toilet is accessed via a change room, the toilet may be used, the change room may not.
To minimise the risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19, at all times:
• Do not attend any sport if you are unwell and experiencing symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, fever, fatigue or shortness of breath;
• Do not attend sport if, in the last 14 days, you have been unwell or had close contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19;
• Anyone who is unwell should see a doctor in accordance with NSW Public Health Authority guidelines.
To ensure consistency across all sports:
• The basic rule is “arrive, play sport, leave”
• All participants should be strongly encouraged to download the Government’s CovidSafe app;
• No gathering as a group before or after sport;
• No close contact or tackling is allowed as it is within 1.5m;
• An area of 4m2 is required per person (i.e. a minimum of 40m2 for 10 people);
• providing that clearly defined and separated areas of more than 40m2 for each group are allocated;
• No ‘mixing’ of people (including coaches) between separate groups of 10 people;
• Coaches, referees and spectators are included with participants in the total number attending (i.e. a maximum total of 10 people);
• Spectators or people providing transport should remain in their vehicle or leave the venue where possible.
It is strongly suggested that all participants:
• Prepare or dress for sport at home;
• Shower at home before and after sport;
• Bring hand wash or sanitiser to wash / sanitise your hands before and after sport;
• Bring their own drink bottle, towel etc;
• Avoid unnecessary contact (i.e. shaking hands, ‘high fives’ etc);
• If required, changing or putting on gear before and / or after sport should be done in, or near to, your own vehicle – or elsewhere away from the playing area;
• All equipment (particularly if touched by hands) should be wiped clean afterwards (e.g. balls, temporary goals etc);
• If there is a playing group of less than 10 and spectators are present, 1.5m distancing must be observed by spectators;
• Participants should gradually return to training to reduce the risk of injury.
Further information will be sent out as soon as possible.
Steve Loader
Chief Executive Officer, Sport NSW
For information and updates, please refer to:
NSW Office of Sport
https://sport.nsw.gov.au/novel-coronavirus-covid-19
NSW Government
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/what-you-can-and-cant-do-under-rules/changes
