The Public Health (COVID-19 General) Amendment Order (No 8) 2021 has been published, outlining changes to the rules, which will come into effect from today, Monday, November 8th 2021.
Amendments relating to the sport and recreation sector are detailed below. These amendments only apply to fully vaccinated adults, children under 16 years of age, and people with an approved medical contraindication certificate.
Those who are not fully vaccinated must still abide by pre-roadmap restrictions until the State reaches the 95 per cent double vaccination target, or December 15th, whichever happens first.
Indoor Recreation Facility Capacity
- Clause 2.3 has been amended to enable a maximum capacity of 1 person per 2 square metres.
Outdoor Gatherings (including community sport)
Clause 2.12 has been amended to permit the following:
- An outdoor public gathering of up to 1,000 people, provided there is space to accommodate 1 person per 2 square metres.
o An outdoor public gathering does not require a COVID-19 Safety Plan and the associated requirements.
o As noted above, only fully vaccinated adults, children under 16 years of age, and people with an approved medical contraindication certificate are permitted to attend.
- A COVID-19 safe outdoor public gathering, with a maximum capacity of 1 person per 2 square metres.
o A COVID-19 safe outdoor public gathering requires the organiser to have and implement an Outdoor events COVID-19 Safety Plan.
o There is no upper limit to capacity beyond the 1 person per 2 square metres.
o As noted above, only fully vaccinated adults, children under 16 years of age, and people with an approved medical contraindication certificate are permitted to attend.
Impact on the 2021 State Cup
As per our advertised position on COVID-19 vaccination status, NSWTA Events will be conducted in line with the prevailing Public Health Order at that time.
Therefore, as at the time of this advice and in line with the Public Health Order and current NSW Government Road Map, the following now applies for the entry to the 2021 State Cup:
- only fully vaccinated participants, team management, officials, referees, staff, vendors and
- if permissible under our COVID-19 Safety Plan, only fully vaccinated spectators will be permitted.
Due to the event being only for fully vaccinated persons under the current Public Health Orders, an authorised officer of each affiliate will be required to sight each member of their contingent’s digital vaccination certificate. Then confirm to the NSWTA that all their members meet the criteria of being double vaccinated. Details will be forwarded shortly on this process.
All persons entering the venue will be required to QR code on entry and display acceptable vaccination proof to security and staff:
- Digital Certificate on their Service NSW App
- COVID 19 Digital Certificate
- Immunisation History Certificate
- NSW Government Vaccine Medical Contraindication
Any person who has an NSW Government Vaccine Medical Contraindication and wishes to participate and or enter the facility will need to present to the NSWTA Medical Staff on Thursday, December 2nd 2021, for the NSWTA Doctor to verify and sign off. The time frame for this to occur will be provided shortly.
The NSWTA Doctor has also advised that if a participant presents a Covid Vaccination Contraindication form to NSW Touch, stating the player has a temporary medical contraindication, then the player should not be permitted to play State Cup, as:
- They would either have a major acute illness or significant immunocompromise and therefore should not be playing sport at all
or
- They have to prove they have had confirmed Covid within the last six months with laboratory confirmation attached to the form. They could then play.
- If they have a medical contraindicationpreventing vaccination, that would be a valid reason not to be vaccinated.
We note that should the Public Health Order change; we will advise and comply accordingly.
With this being the first significant event post lockdown the NSWTA will be taking a risk mitigation strategy for the structure and conduct of the 2021 State Cup as part of our COVID-19 Safety Plan. We will look to provide a briefing later this week on the State Cup structure and mitigation strategies.
Local Council Elections
Please note that due to the COVID-19 lockdown, NSW Local Government elections were postponed. They now fall on Saturday December 4, 2021.
Please ensure all your participants are aware and have either pre-polled in person or applied for postal voting.
Information on early voting and pre-polling in person can be found here.
Information on postal voting can be found here.
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.
