UPDATE OF COVID RESTRICTIONS - 16 AUGUST 2021

IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION IN ITS ENTIRETY

Following the advice of the Chief Health Officer, the Victorian Government announced easing of the COVIDSafe Settings for Regional Victoria. This easing took effect from 11:59pm, Monday 9 August 2021.

METROPOLITAN MELBOURNE 

Metropolitan Melbourne remains under the stay-at-home orders, with only five reasons to leave home. However, as at 11:59pm Monday August 16 these settings have been strengthened.

• A curfew imposed from 9pm to 5am every night. This will operate as it did last year, with very limited reasons to leave the home during this time.
• Permits will be required to leave the house for authorised work, consistent with the arrangements that were in place last year. We will have further information regarding High-Performance/Professional Sport once the Restricted Activity Directions are available.
• Exercise will be limited to just you and one other person, plus dependants if they can’t be left at home.
• Physical recreation and community sport is not permitted in metropolitan Melbourne.

REGIONAL VICTORIA

PHYSICAL RECREATION AND SPORT AS WELL AS COMMUNITY SPORT CAN RESUME IN REGIONAL VICTORIA ONLY, UNDER THE BELOW GUIDELINES.

Where community sport takes place in Regional Victoria, organisers must ensure that there are no participants from Metropolitan Melbourne, or for equestrian activities taking place close to borders, that there are no participants from across the Victorian border. Under the COVIDSafe directions, organisers have a duty of care to ensure that only those permitted attend. Please ensure you use Victorian Government QR Code Service for your club or event activity.

MASKS (REGIONAL)

• Masks must be worn in all indoor and outdoor settings, except when exerting yourself (strenuous physical exercise). Masks are to be worn to the point where the horse is mounted and must be worn again once the rider has dismounted.

QR CODE & COVID CHECK IN MARSHAL (REGIONAL)

• QR codes are mandatory for all spaces (indoor and outdoor – physical sport & recreation and community sport).
• It is mandatory for a COVID Check-in Marshal* to be stationed at all entrances to the facility open to members of the public, whenever the facility is operational. This is to ensure QR code check-in compliance. (If there is no clear physical entrance, best endeavours for mandatory QR code check-in is required).

PHYSICAL RECREATION & SPORT (REGIONAL)

• Open for all ages
• Subject to a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm 
• Maximum capacity of 100 people per indoor space (subject to density quotient)
• Maximum capacity of 300 people outdoors (subject to density quotient) 

COMMUNITY SPORT (REGIONAL)

• Open for all ages, training and competition
• Density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm
• Maximum capacity of 100 people per indoor space and (subject to density quotient)
• Maximum capacity of 300 people outdoors (subject to density quotient)
• No group limits apply

COMMUNITY FACILITIES (eg Kitchen, clubrooms - REGIONAL):

• Open with a density quotient of 1 person per 4 sqm
• Mandatory QR code check-in

PATRONS ONSITE

• The sport/competition is to be run with only the minimum personnel required 
• Spectators not allowed (excludes people necessary for events such as teachers, instructors, trainers, coaches, umpires, carers, parents and guardians). Note: Parents are only permitted to attend in their capacity as a guardian/supervision, not to spectate.

SCHOOL COMPETITION

• Interschool sport is permitted for schools in regional Victoria in line with community sport. Spectators are not permitted at this time.

SPACE

• Indoor space means an area, room or premises that is or are substantially enclosed by a roof and walls that are temporary (in a physical recreational facility or food and drink facility only) or permanent structures rising either from floor to ceiling or are at least 2.1 metres high, regardless of whether the roof or walls or any part of them are open or closed.
• An outdoor space is a discrete outdoor area where people gather for the same activity or purpose such as a playing field at a reserve. The reserve may have multiple playing fields and are considered discrete outdoor spaces. The limit of 300 people applies to each discrete outdoor space. Eg at WPNEC, the outdoor Dressage arenas would be classed as one space and the Showjumping arenas, another space.

* COVID Check-in Marshal means an employee, or employees, of a facility who monitors compliance with the records requirement at all entrances to the facility open to members of the public by checking whether patrons have provided their details prior to entry. 

• They do not require specific training but are required to take active steps in ensuring the check in of all patrons.
• They should be stationed at any entrances to the venue.
• They can also be undertaking another role, as long as that role allows then to perform their required duties as a Marshall and be stationed at the entrances.

We will continue to provide updates as more information comes to hand and welcome the easing of restrictions that enable us to extend our activities across Regional Victoria.

Stay safe, take care.

Matthew Brown
CEO – Equestrian Victoria

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