Following on from our last COVID-19 communication on Wednesday 18th March, the NSW government today made the below announcement:
The NSW Government has taken significant new steps to increase restrictions across the state – triggering the next level of enforcement necessary to fight COVID-19.
Following the decisions made by National Cabinet, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed the shutdown to protect NSW citizens.
“I understand many in the community are worried, and these changes will affect everyday lives, and may be upsetting,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“But these decisions will make us all safer, they are taken with the health of all citizens in mind, and they must be taken now.
“If you have the capacity to work from home, you should do so.”
In line with health advice, from midday today, the following non-essential activities and businesses will be temporarily shut down:
- Pubs, registered clubs
- Gyms, indoor sporting venues
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
- Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
- Religious gatherings, places of worship (excluding small weddings and funerals that comply with the 4m2 rule, which can proceed).
It is important to note essential gatherings at places such as hospitals, workplaces, constructions sites and for public transport are exempt and will continue.
As confirmed last night by the Prime Minister schools will remain open, based on health advice, which has not changed.
Source: https://preview.nsw.gov.au/news
What this means for our sport:
At this stage no further restrictions have been placed on outdoor sports since our last update on Wednesday 18th. The only restriction is all clubs, promoters and coaches are to postpone or cancel all events with over 500 people expected to be in attendance effective immediately until new information is provided, alongside the below two MNSW imposed restrictions
- No club championship or series scoring. All events will be stand-alone meetings. If these competitions continue to run on a point or series scoring basis, this will place unnecessary pressure on riders to compete even if they have concerns over their health in doing so. It may also place pressure on riders to compete who are currently self-isolating and should not be in attendance.
- No spectators are to attend the event other than family of competitors.
As we are all aware, this situation is constantly moving and evolving, meaning restriction updates could potentially change in the coming hours/days/weeks.
In the meantime, we do encourage clubs to consider running smaller practice days and continue with planned recreational, social ride and coaching days. Clubs will need to abide by health and safety recommendations, however the below are some guidelines to follow:
- Clubs will still need to have 1 level 2 key official or 2 level 1 key officials to run the day
- One Senior First Aid officer to be at the grounds
- Utilise and man the minimum required flag points as per individual track licence
- Limit participation numbers to a maximum 150 per day (also consider breaking this up with juniors in the morning and seniors in the afternoon or something similar)
The below are also recommendations for clubs when considering running any smaller competition events:
- Clubs must take measures to ensure there is absolutely no more than 500 people in attendance. This includes all participants, parents, medics, volunteers, siblings and officials
- Clubs must ensure the medics (required) are still available to attend the event
- Clubs are to consider whether ambulance services are still readily available to their track and if it is appropriate to utilise these services in your community
- Ensure the club is able to provide suitable hygiene products and practices throughout the venue including canteen and toilets
- Consider limiting attendance for junior events to rider + 1
- Consider if the event can run safely including filling all required track marshal points
- Consider running open pits at your events
- Consider if you have the ability to run your Riders Briefing over a PA system to minimise close contact and gatherings
- If you have a presentation ensure the area is large enough to limit close contact (noting that a 1.5m distance between people is recommended)
- Communicate to all members, participants, parents etc that anybody who is feeling unwell and showing flu symptoms, or has returned from overseas in the last 2 weeks does NOT attend the event
For further information regarding Covid-19 management and recommended protective measures, we strongly suggest you visits the below sources of information:
- World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/
- Office of Sport: https://sport.nsw.gov.au/
- NSW Government Health Department: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx
In order to ensure all clubs/promoters are meeting their legal obligations, MNSW will require the following to be added to all event Final Instructions and be noted at Riders Briefings until further notice:
We take our responsibility for the safety of our members and the wider community seriously, and as such we will be adhering to the NSW Government’s most recent determinations with regards to Covid-19. Please take note of the following points as advised by NSW health;
- All participants, family members, and volunteers should not attend the event if they are feeling unwell
- You must not attend if you have returned from overseas in the last 14 days
- Be sure to manage your own personal hygiene by cleaning your hands regularly
- Please assist the club/promoter by bringing your own sanitary items where possible (toilet rolls, hand sanitizer etc)
- If you need to sneeze or cough, please do so into a tissue/handkerchief or your upper arm or elbow.
Motorcycling NSW will continue to monitor the situation, work with the relevant organisations and follow the recommendations provided by the government agencies. MNSW will make necessary any adjustments and provide regular updates as further information is provided.