The NSW Government has released the new Public Health Order which is due to come into effect on Monday 18 October, coinciding with NSW having passed the 80% target of full vaccination of the eligible adult population (16+).
Disappointingly community sport is not specifically referenced in the Public Health Order changes (the previous section on sport and exercise has been omitted). Therefore, sport now falls under the general sections with the restrictions and requirements outlined below.
Even though the NSW Government is now promoting that ‘community sport can re-start’ we are aware that this is going to be incredibly difficult, if not impossible, for many Associations due to the 200 person outdoor limit. This cap comes despite assurances from the Office of Sport that they were advocating for community sport limits to be based on density (ie 1 person per 4 square metres). As it stands currently, indoor community sport has no limit on the number of participants, provided the 1 person per 4 square metre rule and any requirements of the venue are met. However outdoor community sport is limited to 200.
Note that all items below refer only to fully vaccinated people aged 16 and over, children 15 years or younger and those with a valid medical exemption (medical certificate required).
- The maximum number of people for a COVID-19 safe outdoor public gathering is 200 people. A COVID-19 Safety Plan for Outdoor Events is required for gatherings of this type.
- Any other outdoor gathering is permitted to have up to 50 people. A COVID-19 Safety Plan is not required for this type of gathering.
- The maximum capacity at an indoor recreation facility is 1 person per 4 square metres.
- There is no limit on gathering sizes within an indoor recreation facility except for gym and dance classes which are limited to 20 people.
- Masks must still be worn when not participating in exercise.
A COVID-19 safe outdoor public gathering (maximum 200 people) is one which meets the following requirements:
- Is operating under a COVID-19 Safety Plan, which is available on site at all times for inspection;
- Is using QR codes to record attendance at the venue;
- Has designated individuals checking the vaccination status of people attending the venue and is taking reasonable steps to ensure that unvaccinated people are not attending.
The COVID-19 Safety Plan required for outdoor public gatherings is the ‘Outdoor Events’ plan available on the NSW Health website here. Netball NSW will upload a template version of the new COVID-19 Safety Plan to the Netball NSW COVID-19 Information page on the website to assist Associations and notify when this is live.
Travel between Greater Sydney (including the Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Central Coast LGAs) and Regional NSW will not be permitted until 1 November, to allow people in the regions more time to receive their second vaccine.
Currently the re-opening roadmap indicates that from 1 December, community sport will be permitted for all people. However, it should be noted that this date is indicative and could change. Further, there is no advice available at present to indicate if there will be limits on the number of people able to participate at that time.
Recommended Resources
Despite ongoing requests from Netball NSW (and many other sports) the NSW Government has given no guidance on how volunteers are to enforce the mandatory vaccination requirements at community sport, other than to say that ‘reasonable steps must be taken to ensure unvaccinated adults are not attending.’
Below are a number of links which go to information and in some cases resources (ie posters etc) which have been prepared by the NSW Government to assist with preparing for and managing COVID-19 safe gatherings. Note that currently the majority of the resources are aimed at businesses, not volunteer run sporting organisations, however sport specific versions are hopefully in development.
To stay up-to-date please continue to check the NSW Office of Sport COVID-19 Latest Information page. This page is regularly updated and provides links to other relevant Government websites.
All information sent to Clubs and Associations will also be kept on the Netball NSW Latest COVID-19 Information page for as long as it remains relevant and up-to-date.
As always, Netball NSW will continue to provide updates as circumstances change. For any further information, please feel free to contact your Regional Manager, Association contact or any Netball NSW staff member for assistance.
