CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

Following the Queensland Government’s announcement of the new Roadmap to Easing Restrictions last week, an updated COVID Safe Plan for Field Sports has now been released.

As of October 1, changes impacting the sport, recreation and fitness industry include:

• When holding an event outdoors, organisations can now see numbers increase from 500 to 1000 with a COVID Safe Event Checklist
• Standing eating and drinking permitted at indoor and outdoor venues with a COVID Safe Plan or Checklist (from 4pm Friday, 2 October)
• Community or boutique stadiums with an approved Site-Specific Plan can have increased capacity:
  • Outdoor venues up to 75% of seated venue capacity
  • Indoor venues up to 50% of seated venue capacity or one person per 4 square metres (whichever is greater)

You may have also read about a change in occupant density requirements for outdoor public spaces from 4 square metres to 2 square metres. Please note this announcement does not impact the sport and recreation industry plans.

As a reminder, for outdoor sporting activities, physical distancing off the field of play is required. Spectators are required to remain 1.5 metres away from people who are not from their own household or group.

A number of changes to the Industry Plans have occurred over the last few weeks which stem from:

• A review of all COVID Safe Plans which was undertaken by the Queensland Government’s COVID Taskforce to ensure consistency across all Industry Plans and alignment to Health Directions
• Enquiries from the Industry requiring clarity on specific topics

A few key changes to note:

• Clarification around Events and the interaction between the COVID Safe Industry Plans and the Framework for COVID Safe Events
  • What constitutes an event (which includes anything outside of seasonal fixtures or competitions (including finals) such as carnivals, come and try days, gala days and State Championships)
  • The approval requirements for events dependant on attendee numbers
  • All other facets of the organisation’s operations including regular seasonal fixtures and competitions (including finals), organisations should operate in compliance with the Industry Plan
  • What is required when an event is outside of the scope or not solely covered by the Industry COVID Safe Plan
• Updated Contact Tracing Requirements are per the advice provided by Queensland Health, including the requirements for collecting contact tracing information from schools.

Download the updated COVID Safe Plan for Field Sports here.

Download the updated Return to Play Guidelines here.