On the weekend the amendment to the Public Health (COVID-19 General) Amendment Order (No 2) 2021 was been published. The amendment comes into effect as of today, Monday 18 October 2021.

Below is an update as it relates to the sport and active recreation sector.

Changes to gathering numbers   

The following restrictions will apply for;

fully vaccinated people aged 16 years and over;

children under the age of 16, and;

people who have been issued with a medical contraindication certificate compliant with the Order.

Outdoor public gatherings 

Under Clause 2.12 of the Order:

The maximum number of people permitted at the following outdoor events are;

for a controlled outdoor public gathering – 3,000 persons

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.

These restrictions apply to any community sport (including both training and competition), exercise and recreation activities. They also apply for outdoor events such as team BBQs and end-of-season presentations.

Clause 2.13 of the Order, which previously referenced outdoor sport and exercise gatherings, has been removed. This means the same rules apply to sport and exercise gatherings as what is in Clause 2.12.

While the NSWTA understands NSW Health position of capping at 200 persons, we feel as though this has been brought in with a view of community sport operating one or two fields at a venue. Not centralised venues with multiple fields as per our sport. As such on the weekend we lodged a submission on behalf of the sport for an exemption to alter the PHO for all NSWTA Affiliated Touch Football entities.

We hope to have a quick response and will advise once known.

The limit will not mean competitions can not commence, but rather you will need to put measures in place like arrive, play, leave protocols, and their like to ensure you meet the PHO requirements.

We also advise that travel between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will not be permitted until 1 November. Therefore, a person who resides in Greater Sydney must not participate in recreation outside Greater Sydney, and a person who resides outside of Greater Sydney (ie. Regional NSW) must not participate in recreation in Greater Sydney.

We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the State, NSW Health, the Office of Sport and Sport NSW. We will communicate any future recommendations, changes to COVID-19 Safety Plans or Public Health Orders impacting our sport.

Best wishes and stay safe.