The new Victorian State Government COVID safe settings have been released and the Restricted Activities Directions (RAD) have been replaced by a series of documents including the below

• Open Premises Directions (OPD)
• Stay Safe Directions (Metropolitan Melbourne)
• Stay Safe Directions (Regional Victoria)
• Updated Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions (MVD)

These settings are effective from Thursday October 21^st at 11:59pm (midnight) and will stay in place until the next phase which we are expected to reach SOON.  With this in mind, the information below is provided as the settings stand today but can be changed at any time and we will keep everyone informed if and when changes are made. 

We understand that these settings are complex as we move into a new phase and we have sought further clarification regarding specific details.  As soon as we receive this, we will inform you with updated and detailed information. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we adjust to these new phases. 

It should be noted that settings for COMPETITIONS in metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria have not yet been released by the State Government.

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

• Community Sport – organised sports activity (including training) managed, facilitated or conducted by a club or sporting association for its members
• Social (Physical Recreational) Sport – non-organised sports activity 

COMMUNITY SPORT TRAINING

Vaccination – (All Victoria)

As drafted today there is an exclusion to the vaccination requirements for participants of community sport. Community sport is as defined above. 

The directions as they currently stand, state that patrons participating in or facilitating community sports (eg players, coaches and volunteers) do not need to be fully vaccinated. However, this same setting does not apply for those working at a physical recreation facility, whether they be professional coaches, paid employees or paid or unpaid volunteers. 

As soon as a worker, volunteer or coach etc steps outside the realm of facilitating community sport and comes into contact with those participating in social (physical recreation) sport, then those same persons come under the vaccination requirements in the Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions (MVD) ie. the current vaccine requirement for patrons at physical recreation facilities are that anyone accessing the facility for anything other than community sport training must be fully vaccinated by the date outlined above. 

We are aware that there are members whose activity spans across community sport (club/association organised) and social/physical recreation. To be able to provide accurate advice to our members, we have sought further clarification around this setting.

COMMUNITY SPORT TRAINING OPERATIONS

Metro Melbourne

In metropolitan Melbourne, community sport can resume but in outdoor settings only and for training purposes only. Competitions are not permitted.

• Attendance must be limited to the minimum number of people required to participate and train. Spectators are not allowed, except to supervise children (one adult per child or sibling per group). 
• Facemasks must be worn except when doing strenuous exercise or another lawful exception applies. 
• Community sport training indoors is still closed. Club rooms are closed for use, but toilets are open.
• Crossing the boundary between regional and metro is still not allowed unless for permitted reasons.
• All community sport training sessions need a COVID check-in marshal at all entry points to ensure all patrons are following the COVID safe guidelines including QR Code check-in and social distancing.
• Food and Beverage at community sport (ie Canteen) can operate under the ‘Food and Drink’ premises under section 29 of the Open Premises Directions. 

Regional Victoria

Community Sport is allowed for training only. Competition is still not permitted.

• Attendance must be limited to the minimum number of people required to participate and train. Spectators are allowed in regional Victoria with a cap limit of 20 persons. 
• Facemasks must be worn except when doing strenuous exercise or another lawful exception applies.
• Community sport training indoors in regional Victoria is open limited to the minimum number of persons required to train.
• Crossing the boundary between regional and metro is still not allowed
• Any patron in regional Victoria accessing an indoor space at a community sport training (ie canteen, club rooms, storage shed etc) need to be fully vaccinated (This excludes the use of toilets which is allowed).
• All community sport training sessions need a COVID check-in marshal at all entry points to ensure all patrons are following the COVID safe guidelines including QR Code check-in and social distancing.
• Food and Beverage at community sport (ie Canteen) can operate under the ‘Food and Drink’ premises under section 29 of the Open Premises Directions 

SOCIAL (PHYSICAL RECREATIONAL) SPORT 

Vaccination - all Victoria

Social (Physical Recreational) sport is defined as sport that is NOT organised by a club or association and therefore is defined as physical recreation and needs to meet the vaccination requirements outlined under physical recreation.

Workers at a physical recreation facility that is not being used for community sport only must also meet the vaccination requirements of the MVD.

Capacities - Metropolitan Melbourne

INDOOR

• Remains closed

OUTDOOR

• Outdoor recreation facilities are open for up to 50 people (at a density limit of one person per 4 sqm) if everyone present is fully vaccinated.

Capacities - Regional Victoria Only

INDOOR

• Fully vaccinated patron cap is 30 per space with a density limit of DQ4. 
• If the vaccination status of patrons is unknown, 10 cap per space with a density limit of DQ2.

OUTDOOR

• Fully vaccinated patron cap is 100 (per space) with a density limit of DQ2. 
• If the vaccination status of patrons is unknown a cap of 20 people applies, with a density limit of DQ4. 
• Group Limits – Fully vaccinated 20 as per the Stay Safe Directions. 
• If vaccine status of patrons is unknown, then the Group Limit is 10.
• The outdoor cap limit does not apply if groups can maintain at least 50 metres from each other. 

If a physical recreation facility is being used for community sport training (See definition above), the cap requirements and density limits are then changed to the minimum numbers required to train.

We appreciate your patience as we seek further clarification on key topics that are Equestrian specific.