NSW Health - COVID-19 Update for Community Sports

Good evening club officials

In response to increased cases of COVID-19 in NSW, Dr Kerry Chant (Chief Health Officer - NSW ) is advising of further public health measures to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission related to participation in community sports. These updated recommendations will help clubs to meet the NSW Government’s aim of achieving no community transmission in NSW and will support community sports to continue operating safely.

It is essential that community sports organisations have a COVID-19 safety plan in place, and are fully compliant with this plan: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/industry- guidelines/community-sporting-competitions-and-full-training-activities

In addition, please implement the following updated public health recommendations:

• Cease activities that result in the mixing of participants and staff from different regions, for example by ceasing zone, regional or state championships or competitions.

  • Examples of inter-regional mixing include activities which bring together participants (including spectators and officials) from organisations in different regions of Sydney, from a rural area into a metro area and vice versa, and movement between different rural areas
• Cease any activities that result in overnight stays (e.g. multi-day training camps) due to increased risk of COVID transmission in residential-type settings with shared facilities
• Cease face-to-face social activities relating to community sports (e.g. award ceremonies, BBQ's, end-of-season social gatherings, post-training group dinners)
• Avoid carpools or bus travel with people from different household groups where possible
• For local activities, limit spectators to one parent only, where the child requires parental supervision during the sporting activity.

Clubs are requested to please commence implementation of these recommendations by Wednesday 19 August. NSW Health aanticipate that these recommendations will need to be in place for the next 6 weeks. I will continue to update you in relation to the continued need for these public health measures.

I would like to thank your organisation for your support and ongoing attention to providing a COVID-19 safe environment.

Should you have any questions please do hesitate to contact me

Carl

Link to letter from Dr Kerry Chant