COVID safety plan launched

Fitness industry commits to strict operations framework With COVID-19 restrictions being eased across Australia, the fitness industry has today released a robust operations framework, developed to ensure gyms and exercise facilities understand what they need to do to safeguard the health and safety of members and employees.   Fitness Australia, the industry’s peak body, has been working with government health departments, industry stakeholders and international counterparts, including UK Active, IHRSA, Exercise NZ and utilising resources from the World Health Organisation, to develop a comprehensive framework for the safe reopening of gyms.   Fitness Australia CEO Barrie Elvish said the industry has put the comprehensive framework in place to provide gym users and the broader community with the confidence and comfort that fitness facilities are a COVID safe environment.     “Gyms can be a COVID safe environment when strict measures are enforced to protect the health and safety of members and employees. While we are advising all our members to check with their state government requirements, Fitness Australia has gone one step further and developed a robust framework that goes beyond the standard considerations,” Mr Elvish said.   “Our framework includes a range of guidelines from high frequency cleaning and sanitation, spacing of equipment through to contact tracing, personal training and group fitness recommendations to ensure physical distancing can be enforced.”   The operations framework is part of Fitness Australia’s COVID Safety Plan which has been endorsed by industry leaders across the sector and Occupational and Environment Physician Dr Andrea James MBBS FAFOE(RACP) FRACGP GDOEH.   “Providing a safe fitness environment will make an essential contribution to keeping community transmission of COVID-19 cases as low as possible and will support the overall wellbeing of Australians,” Dr James said.   “Fitness Australia’s framework has been designed to provide facilities with an understanding of how they can manage the risks associated with COVID-19. The recommendations are aligned with public health directives, evidence-based and follow a risk-mitigation model.”   The Fitness Australia COVID Safety Plan framework is available at fitness.org.au/covidsafe and provides general considerations for all businesses and operators in the fitness industry. The COVID Safety Plan Checklist will be provided exclusively Fitness Australia members by the end of May.

Good morning everyone 

http://www.nswvolleyball.com/contact-us/covid-19-updates/474-covid-19-update-24-03-2020

I genuinely hope this finds you and your families all safe, healthy and in as good spirits as can be expected. 

It’s a challenging and emotional time for our community, and I want to acknowledge that for many, there are certainly much bigger concerns than Volleyball. 

With so much uncertainty at this time, this note is designed to help provide as much clarity as we can for our NSW Volleyball community and share with you how we will be navigating COVID-19 to ensure our sport can survive and thrive beyond the pandemic. 

Volleyball NSW (VNSW) Office Operations • Our team is safe and well. We are all working from home and planning how our competitions and events can adjust over the coming months as things develop. 

We are brainstorming ideas and new ways to serve our community. Stay tuned. 

COVID Crisis Management Group 
• The Board has established the COVID Crisis Management Group to examine ongoing guidance from relevant authorities and provide balanced, educated recommendations for our sport in NSW. 

• The Group will meet weekly (or as needed if things significantly change) to discuss the crisis and to guide our parameters for competitions and events moving forward, ensuring we are ready to launch activity as soon as it’s safe and practical for all. 
• If you have any questions, concerns or feedback you’d like to submit to the Group, please do so through me so that it can be tabled and reviewed as part of discussions at the next meeting. 
• A public statement will be made and distributed as an outcome to every meeting. 

Sydney Volleyball League 
• Arguably our biggest program we run annually is Sydney Volleyball League (SVL). This program sees the congregation of a huge amount of numbers of players in 16 weeks of competition. At this time, no formal decision has been made around the delivery/timing of SVL 2020 with further discussion to be had in the coming weeks. 

• We accept it is extremely unlikely that SVL 2020 can proceed as planned due to access to venues to train and run the competition. Current advice from the Office of Sport indicates the COVID-19 crisis will continue for a number of months. 
• With this in mind, all existing deadlines for entries, nominations, teams lists etc are now postponed. Communication on next steps will be provided in the coming weeks. 

Other VNSW Events 
• Other VNSW events like State Cups, Schools Cups etc are at the moment all on hold.

Australian Junior Volleyball Championships (AJVC) 
• Similar to SVL, the AJVC program is now on hold. We are very hopeful this program will still be able to go ahead albeit with significant changes to the event preparation. 

• At this time, we encourage any athlete who is considering trailing for a team to ensure they stay fit and healthy through this crisis and further information will become available as soon as possible. 

Volleyball Australia (VA) Events 
• Similar to VNSW, VA is also reviewing activity. 

• VA has made no formal statement regarding their events at this time. 
• We will continue to work with them and ensure all information is passed on as soon as we have it. 

VNSW Annual General Meeting (AGM) 
• The VNSW AGM is a legal requirement and will proceed as planned on the 22nd April. 

• It will be held via a video conference call (Zoom). It will NOT be physically attended. 
• Further information will be provided in the coming weeks and we encourage all affiliates to ensure they remain available for this as previously planned. 

Affiliation and Membership 
• Volleyball NSW and its playing community will get through this crisis. We may not know when, but we will all get back on court and play again as soon as possible. 

• We are looking at ensuring the financial implications are as limited as possible for the greater organisation. 
• To ensure we are all back up and running as quickly as possible (when it is safe to do so), we are encouraging all affiliates and members who are financially secure, to continue to sign up. By doing this, it ensures that we remain legally structured with affiliates and we have the income needed to retain operational expenses like staff, equipment, venue bookings etc. 
• As a community, by coming together and working through this with the limited resources we have gives us the best opportunity to come out the other side in the best position possible to get back on court. 

Insurance 
• Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance will renew on the 1st April and we will be sending this information out to clubs as soon as we have this. 

• Personal Accident Insurance will remain in place for registered members participating in VNSW approved activities/events/competitions. Its important to know that having a pepper in the backyard or going for a run throughout this crisis is not considered an approved volleyball activity so please make sure your own insurance is current for your own benefit.

All in all, the world as we know it is very different now and will be for the foreseeable future. This is a challenge for all of humanity and us as a Volleyball community. 

Please look after yourself and your families at this time, please reach out if you have any questions and please feel free to let us know your ideas on how to activate our community at this time. 

We are all in this together and we are looking forward to delivering the game that we all love to you once again as soon as possible. 

Stay safe. 

Baz Wedmaier

General Manager

Volleyball NSW

 

Essential information

Updated: 10:10am AEDT on Monday, 23 March 2020

https://www.australia.gov.au/

• Pubs, licensed clubs and hotels (excluding accommodation), places of worship, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, casinos to close from midday Monday, March 23. Restaurants and cafes to offer takeaway only. Schools and supermarkets can remain open. Read more.
• To help stop the spread of coronavirus, stay 1.5 metres away from others where possible, wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, avoid touching your face and if sick, stay home. Read more.
• Non-essential mass gatherings are banned for groups of more than 500 people outdoors, or more than 100 indoors. Read more.
• There are restrictions on visitors to Residential Aged Care Facilities to protect older Australians. Please check with individual facilities for further information.
• From 9pm AEDT 20 March 2020, our borders are closed except for Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members. All arrivals into Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. Read more.
• A second set of economic responses has been announced, bringing the total package to $189 billion to support workers, businesses and broader community in response to the Coronavirus. Read more.

VOLLEYBALL AUSTRALIA – Recommended sport response to COVID-19

http://www.volleyballaustralia.org.au/post/recommended-sport-response-to-covid-19

To: Australian Volleyball Community

From: Andrew Dee, CEO – Volleyball Australia 

Date: 17 March 2020

Topic: Recommended sport response to COVID-19  

Volleyball Australia, in partnership with its State and Territory Associations, wishes to recommend the following actions in relation to the conduct of volleyball activities and events.

As you are all aware, information concerning COVID-19 is evolving constantly. This morning, the Prime Minister and Federal Chief Medical Officer announced new transmission control measures that will inform the decisions we need to make in relation to our operations, activities and events as a sport.

The health and safety of our athletes, staff and volunteers is paramount and as such we will endeavour to be as up to date as possible and act in accordance with State and Federal Government advice as it happens.

Volleyball Australia in partnership with the FIVB recently took the decision to cancel the FIVB World Tour 3 Star Gold Coast Open at Coolangatta Beach having regard to travel bans globally and the increasing pressure of COVID19 on all our stakeholders.Fortunately, our Australian Junior Beach Volleyball Championships has successfully concluded today and with the support of our State Associations, coaches, athletes, guardians and parents of our future Olympic hopefuls.Sadly, our inaugural Australian Beach Volleyball Schools Championships was cancelled earlier this week.We thank all States and affiliate partners and the Queensland Government for their support at Gold Coast Volleyslam 2020 which was otherwise an amazing success for our sport.

In response to the increased control measures announced this morning, particularly concerning social distancing and the public gathering limit being reduced to 100 being imposed from tomorrow, Volleyball Australia recommends that all formal training, competitions, functions and activities of a similar nature are assessed in line with the risk assessment considerations outlined in the Federal Sports Minister’s release (attached) and either cancelled or postponed until at least 30 April 2020 accordingly.

While we acknowledge that the ultimate decision regarding the degree to which this recommendation is followed is the responsibility of association, club and event officials/owners, it is important that we all act wisely in the public health interests of the broader community. Major participation sports like volleyball and beach volleyball are important to the social fabric of our society encouraging ongoing physical activity so vital for the ongoing mental and physical well being of us all.

In this regard, a briefing by the Federal Sports Minister today advised that non-contact sports, particularly those played outdoors, should remain available to the community if they are able to meet the risk mitigation measures such as remaining at home if you are not well, social distancing, handwashing and the coughing protocol.

Volleyball Australia is also mindful of programs it conducts in partnership with the AIS and State Institutes of Sport. Given the specific nature and operating environments of these training and development programs, we will consider the ongoing operation of these on a case by case basis and will defer to the expertise of the relevant state health officers and local government partners in each case.

Finally, due to the uncertainty regarding travel restrictions, insurance limitations and the lead time required to arrange its national and international activities, Volleyball Australia has postponed all national camps, meetings, functions and international tours until further notice.

Future Advice

Volleyball Australia and State Volleyball Associations will consider further measures as information unfolds from health authorities and will regularly monitor any changes in the situation.

We will continue to review our position and will update the volleyball community via regular updates on our website.

Links to Government health and WHO advice is listed below:

World Health Organisation: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Australian government: https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert

NSW Health: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx

QLD Health: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/

VIC Health: https://www.vic.gov.au/

WA Health: https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/

SA Health: https://www.sa.gov.au/

TAS Health: https://dhhs.tas.gov.au/

We thank you for your patience at this time and appreciate your concerns, however, please be mindful that as an organisation we will continue to take the advice of the State Government, Department of Health, the World Health Organisation and will make preparations based on that advice. 

Finally, please avoid taking notice of the wild announcements and varied opinions being distributed on social media unless they are coming from a reputable source. The above links will provide the most up to date and pertinent advice we all need to make informed decisions about our sport and its activities in the coming period.

We will continue to review our position and will update the volleyball community accordingly.

A statement from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) about coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), on the advice of the Communicable Diseases Network Australia, today considered a number of additional public health measures to provide advice to the National Cabinet in relation to strengthening the control of COVID-19 in Australia.

The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to spread globally. Our actions to date, including border measures and extensive case finding and contact management, based on best evidence strategies to contain transmission, have provided time for our health system and society to prepare. These strategies will remain essential throughout the control phase that we are entering, but now need to be augmented by additional social distancing measures that will reduce the spread of all respiratory infections.

In the absence of a vaccine to provide immunity to the population, these measures are essential to protect the Australian public. Figure 1 shows the current trajectory of the outbreak in Australia compared to other nations experiencing significant COVID-19 outbreaks, with a growing number of cases daily, fuelled by an increase in overseas-acquired cases in the past 30 days (see Figure 2). These case figures have been detected from over 80,000 tests conducted to date, which is high compared to our overseas counterparts. Given the significant increase of cases and experiences of Europe and the United States, the AHPPC feels very strongly that social isolation and distancing measures be enhanced.

COVID-19 is a contagious viral infection that causes mild respiratory illness in most people.  Presentation can range from no symptoms to severe illness with potentially life-threatening complications, particularly in people who are vulnerable to infections. The current principle national objective is to slow progression of the outbreak in Australia and limit the burden on our health system by taking measures to reduce transmission.

Transmission of COVID-19 is through contact with respiratory droplets containing the virus, produced when an infectious individual coughs or sneezes. As a consequence, individual behaviour is key to containing spread of the virus, and involves taking personal responsibility for measures, such as regular hygiene practices, early self-isolation and personal social distancing.

Social distancing is one of the key measures currently being utilised to contribute to Australia’s ability to severely limit transmission of COVID-19. This reduces the burden of disease in the community, and importantly, will ensure healthcare capacity is not overwhelmed at any given time. The health sector must continue to undertake its core functions, as well as maintain the capacity to support those with COVID-19 who require more intensive care.

These interventions may need to continue for more than 6 months, and must be feasible and sustainable. The application of extraordinary measures for a short term (for a period of four weeks) will only defer the increase in cases and will not achieve long term flattening of the curve or, ultimately, save lives.

Figure 3 demonstrates the impact of effective social distancing and other interventions on the timing and size of the peak burden of disease. As demonstrated in the figure below, the intent is to ensure the burden of disease does not exceed the capacity of the health system to manage.

The overarching goal of our recommendations is to slow the spread of the virus and flatten the epidemic curve. We all have both a community and individual responsibility to maintain social distancing and minimise interactions in order to protect the people we love. The aim is a population response, to reduce transmission to protect vulnerable populations.

Our approach to containing the COVID-19 pandemic needs to be flexible and scalable to respond effectively to the evolving situation. Whilst we have a national approach to social distancing currently, if case numbers continue to grow, more stringent measures will need to be introduced locally or nationally to control surges in case numbers.

Recommendation to the Education Sector

Schools

The AHPPC met on Tuesday 17 March to consider the issue of school closures in relation to the community transmission of COVID‑19. The Committee’s advice is that pre-emptive closures are not proportionate or effective as a public health intervention to prevent community transmission of COVID-19 at this time.

There is currently limited information on the contribution of children to transmission of COVID-19. The WHO-China Joint Mission noted the primary role of household transmission and observed that children tended to be infected by adults in the household.  In China, 2.4% of total reported cases were under the age of 19 years old. Worldwide, of those cases under 19 years of age, very few were severe or critical. This contrasts distinctly with the severity pattern observed with other respiratory viruses, where young children are particularly at risk of severe disease.

Previous studies suggest that the potential reduction in community transmission from pre‑emptive school closures may be offset by the care arrangements that are in place for children who are not at school. Children may require care from older carers who are more vulnerable to severe disease, or may continue to associate (and transmit infection) outside of school settings.

Broadly, the health evidence on school closures from previous respiratory epidemics shows the costs are often underestimated and the benefits are overestimated. This may be even more so in relation to COVID-19 as, unlike influenza, the impact on otherwise healthy children has been minimal to date.

School closure is associated with considerable costs. Studies have estimated that around 15% of the total workforce and 30% of the healthcare workforce may need to take time off work to care for children. This burden will be significant and will fall disproportionately on those in casual or tenuous work circumstances.

At this stage, the spread of COVID-19 in the community is at quite low levels. It may be many months before the level of Australian community infection is again as low as it is at the moment. For pre-emptive school closures to be effective, closure for at least several months is required and it would be unclear when they could be re-opened.

School closures for shorter defined periods may be considered as part of a suite of more stringent distancing measures later in the outbreak, in anticipation of a peak in infection rates.

Short term reactive school closure may also be warranted to allow cleaning and contact tracing to occur in response to an outbreak in a given school.

More than 70 countries around the world have implemented either nationwide or localised school closures, at different times in the evolution of the local COVID-19 epidemic, however it should be noted the majority of these have not been successful in controlling the outbreak. Some of these countries are now considering their position in relation to re-opening schools.

Singapore has had success in limiting the transmission of COVID-19 in the community without closing schools. Other countries are working in different contexts, including Northern Hemisphere countries making decisions at the end of winter with COVID-19 being accompanied by influenza in the community.

The advice in relation to school closures will continue to be reviewed at daily meetings of the AHPPC.

Schools should implement a range of other strategies to reduce transmission, including the promotion of personal hygiene measures (frequent handwashing, reducing face-to-face contact, cough etiquette), physical distancing, reducing public gatherings (e.g. face-to-face school assemblies), and reducing the mixing of students (e.g. reduced use of common areas, staggered lunchtimes, and reduced after-school activities and inter-school activities).

Schools should also reinforce existing policies to exclude students and staff who are unwell, and current policies requiring quarantine for those who have recently travelled overseas. It is also important that the learning needs of students who are excluded from school are met.

Boarding Schools

Boarding schools are at high risk of transmission of COVID-19 due to close and shared living arrangements and higher frequency of face-to-face contact. An outbreak in a boarding school would present a difficult management issue including potentially the isolation of the entire boarding school, as all students and staff would be defined as close contacts following a confirmed case. Depending on the structure, the boarding school may be unsuitable for isolation procedures.

Should a boarding student from a rural or remote community be diagnosed with COVID-19, they may not be able to return home if there is not sufficient health infrastructure to support them, or support their isolation.

Schools and parents should consider the risks versus the benefits of a student remaining in boarding school, and make their own decision, noting that the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to span more than six months. The decision to remain at boarding school should be a shared and documented decision.

Universities and other higher education centres

University and higher education are considered essential and should continue at this time, but with risk mitigation measures in place. AHPPC considers the actions below will enact social distancing and help to protect health service provision as well as ensuring business continuity:

• Encouraging staff who can work effectively from home to do so.
• Holding as many business meetings as possible by audio-visual link or other remote means.
• Cancelling all non-essential events.
• Encouraging universities and higher education facilities to provide to access online content remotely and participate in as many other classes as possible by audio-visual link or other remote means.
• Ensuring lectures and examinations have no more than one person per four square metres of floor space and have fewer than 100 persons.
• Continuing to support clinical placements if the necessary risk assessments have been undertaken, after discussion with clinical supervisors and facilities. The safety of patients, staff and students is paramount.
• Staff should continue to undertake their normal duties with risk mitigation strategies.

Given the demonstrated feasibility of online delivery of lecture content, we support universities and higher education centres moving to an online platform, where appropriate, for continuity of student education.

For those programs that require face-to-face interactions or utilise the physical environments, such as laboratories, classes can continue but need to consider reduction in the size of the classes; ensure regular hand hygiene for all staff and students (e.g., hand sanitisers at entry points); and ensure cleaning addresses areas of high touch points for students and staff.

These steps will allow universities and higher education centres to play their part in reducing interactions as much as possible in support of the government’s efforts to encourage social distancing.

Students and staff who are unwell with acute respiratory symptoms or fever must not attend the university, and must self-isolate at home until their symptoms have resolved.

Universities and higher education centres should have contingencies in place to manage students who need to be quarantined or isolated if they are suspected of, or confirmed to be COVID-19 positive. It is important to note that group student accommodation presents a higher risk for transmission of COVID-19, similar to that experienced in boarding schools, and universities should have strategies in place to identify those who have respiratory symptoms or fever, and isolate these individuals as quickly as possible. If appropriate risk mitigation cannot be undertaken, universities and higher education centres should consider closing or reducing accommodation densities.

Recommendations to Residential Aged Care Facilities

While all respiratory viruses can cause outbreaks and significant morbidity and mortality, COVID-19 is acknowledged as a significant health risk particularly for the elderly and individuals with co-morbidities or low immunity.

While this recommendation is for RACFs, the principles are applicable to many settings including residential facilities for people with physical and mental disabilities, detention and correctional centres.

RACFs must ensure that they are prepared to manage outbreaks of COVID-19. Detailed guidance can be found at www.coronavirus-covid-19-guidelines-for-outbreaks-in-residential-care-fa…. There is currently no vaccination to prevent COVID-19; avoidance of exposure is the single most important measure for preventing COVID-19 in RACFs.  RACFs must have, and be vigilant in implementing measures to prevent introduction of COVID-19 into their facility.

Restrictions on entry into RACFs

The following visitors and staff (including visiting workers) should not be permitted to enter the facility:

• Those who have returned from overseas in the last 14 days.
• Those who have been in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
  • A contact is defined as anyone who has been in contact with a known case, including the 24 hours before the case became symptomatic.
• Those with fever or symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath) symptoms.
• Those who have not been vaccinated against influenza (after 1^st May 2020).

Visitors

RACFs should implement the following measures for restricting visits and visitors to reduce the risk of transmission to residents, including:

• Limiting visits to a short duration;
• Limiting visits to a maximum of two visitors at one time per day. These may be immediate social supports (family members, close friends) or professional service or advocacy;
• Visits should be conducted in a resident’s room, outdoors, or in a specific area designated by the RACF, rather than communal areas where the risk of transmission to residents is greater;
• No large group visits or gatherings, including social activities or entertainment, should be permitted at this time;
• No school groups of any size should be allowed to visit RACFs.

Visitors should also be encouraged to practise social distancing practices where possible, including maintaining a distance of 1.5 metres.

Children aged 16 years or less must be permitted to visit only by exception, as they are generally unable to comply with hygiene measures. Exemptions can be assessed on a case-by-case basis, for example, where the resident is in palliative care.

Measures such as phone or video calls must be accessible to all residents to enable more regular communication with family members. Family and friends should be encouraged to maintain contact with residents by phone and other social communication apps, as appropriate.

Residents

Active screening for symptoms of COVID-19 in residents being admitted or re-admitted from other health facilities and community settings should be conducted. No new residents with COVID-19 compatible symptoms are permitted to enter the facility.

Residents admitted from other health facilities

Residents admitted from other health facilities should be assessed by appropriate medical staff prior to admission to the facility.

Appropriate infection prevention practices should be implemented for residents returning from treatment or care at other facilities.

External excursions

No external excursions for residents should currently be permitted.

Managing illness in visitors and staff

RACFs should advise all regular visitors and staff to be vigilant for illness and use hygiene measures including social distancing, and to monitor for symptoms of COVID-19, specifically fever and acute respiratory illness.  They should be instructed to stay away when unwell, for their own and residents’ protection.

Given the high vulnerability of this particular group, RACFs should request that staff and visitors provide details on their current health status, particularly presentation of symptoms consistent with COVID-19. Screening for fever could also be considered upon entry.

These additional measures should be implemented in order to better protect residents and prompt individuals entering the RACF to consider their current state of health prior to entry. Both individuals and management need to take responsibility for the health of visitors and staff at facilities to protect our most vulnerable community members.

Symptomatic staff

Staff should be made aware of early signs and symptoms of COVID-19. Any staff with fever OR symptoms of acute respiratory infection (e.g. cough, sore throat, runny nose, shortness of breath) should be excluded from the workplace and tested for COVID-19. Staff must report their symptoms to the RACF.

Sick leave policies must enable employees to stay home, if they have symptoms of respiratory infection.

Hygiene Measures

Signage and other forms of communication (i.e. information and factsheets) must be used to convey key messages, including what actions the facility is taking to protect visitors, residents and staff, and explaining what they can do to protect themselves and their family members. This includes signs on appropriate hand washing techniques upon entry and throughout the facility.

RACFs must ensure that adequate hand washing facilities and alcohol based hand rub, as well as tissues and lined disposal receptacles are available for visitors to use; at the entrance of the facility and in each resident’s room. Staff should ensure visitors perform hand hygiene before entering and after leaving the resident’s room and the RACF.

The recommendations outlined may be altered according to the particular circumstance of the resident, including those who are in palliative care or residents in dementia units, which should be considered on a case-by-case basis. These situations will likely necessitate increased social contact with visitors.

Community Sport

All community sport participants must play a role to help reduce the transmission of COVID‑19, including those organising, attending or supporting attendance at these activities. 

Participants should not attend and participate in Community Sport if they:

• Have travelled internationally or been exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the preceding 14 days; or
• Are at a high risk including the elderly and those with pre‑existing medical conditions.

Attendance at Community Sport activities

Only essential participants should attend activities, i.e. players, coaches, match officials, staff and volunteers involved in operations and parents/guardians of participants;

All players, visitors should practise the following social distancing measures at Community Sporting activities:

• Players, visitors and officials should minimise physical contact as much as is practicable, for example no shaking hands, no walking out with player mascots, no pre- or post-match celebrations and no celebrating between players during the match.
• When spectating or attending a game or training session, ensure a distance of 1.5 metres is kept between yourself and others;
• Access to change rooms should be restricted solely to players, officials and essential staff;
• If spectating, try to maintain 1.5 metres between yourself and others.
• It is recommended that sporting teams, including school sporting teams, maintain local competitions only, with no inter-district, or inter-club travel. As with all gatherings, basic protective measures should be observed, such as regular hand hygiene practices before, during and after the match, do not share drink bottles, and avoid touching your face.

It is acknowledged that contact sports have a greater risk of transmission than other sports, and as such, should be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, other mitigation strategies for match socialisation and contact must be employed to reduce the risk to players, visitors, and officials more broadly.

Swimming pools

There is no evidence that the virus will survive in well managed and maintained pools chlorinated in accordance with Australian standards and guidelines. People should minimise time spent out of the pool and comply with the aforementioned social distancing and protective measures when in the change rooms and outside the pool. Shower with soap before attending the facility.

Recreational water facilities (water slides, surf parks) should also comply with social distancing and protective measures.

General hygiene measures at facilities

Facilities should:

• Ensure that spaces at each facility, surfaces and objects are regularly cleaned with disinfectant;
• Provide hand washing guidance (www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/);
• Promote regular and thorough hand washing by staff and participants;
• Provide sanitising hand rub dispensers in prominent places around the event (particularly entry or high use areas such as a registration desk, change rooms, toilets or kiosk);
• Make sure dispensers are regularly refilled; and
• Promote exclusion of ill persons.

Recommendation on ANZAC Day ceremonies and events

ANZAC Day ceremonies and events should be cancelled due to the high proportion of older Australians who attend such events and the increased risk posed to such individuals. A small streamed/filmed ceremony involving officials at a state level may be acceptable. There should be no marches.

Recommendation on bulk purchase of supplies

The AHPPC advises against the bulk purchase of foods, medicines and other goods. We discourage the panic purchase of food and other supplies. While some advice has been provided to have a small addition of long shelf life products in the case of illness there are a range of mechanisms in place to support people in self-isolation, including food and other deliveries. AHPPC notes that the risk of individual Australians being asked to quarantine in coming weeks is low, and encourage individuals to plan with friends and family in the event of the need to isolate. We recognise the importance of supply lines to remote communities.

VNSW EVENTS SUSPENDED UNTIL 30 APRIL 2020

Volleyball NSW has been closely monitoring the situation of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in consultation with a number of external resources including Volleyball Australia, the AIS, the NSW Education Department, NSW Heath and Office of Sport NSW.

The team at Volleyball NSW hold the safety and wellbeing of our staff, volunteers and broader community as our highest priority. 

Volleyball NSW has made the decision to suspend VNSW events, competitions, programs and training until 30th April 2020, as follows:

• SCHOOLS CUP 
  • WEDNESDAY 1ST APRIL (CANCELLED)
  • FRIDAY 1ST MAY (SUSPENDED)
  • FRIDAY 15TH MAY (SUSPENDED)
  • FRIDAY 28TH JUNE (SUSPENDED)
• STATE CUP 
  • SUNDAY 26TH APRIL (SUSPENDED)
  • 2ND & 3RD MAY (SUSPENDED)
  • 16TH & 17TH MAY (SUSPENDED)

• SPIKEROOS JDP
  
  • All remaining trainings and Camps are suspend 

The team will make further decisions and provide updates regarding the following Events by close of business, Friday 20 March:

• NSW BEACH VOLLEYBALL TOUR FINALS 
• COACH EDUCATION 20 April 2020
• AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS (AJVC / STATE TEAM)
• SYDNEY VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE (JUNIOR AND SENIOR) – 29 May 2020

The VNSW team will continue to monitor this issue and update you on developments weekly via email, our website and social media. Please share this information through your club. If you have any questions, please reach out and we will work to address your concerns during these updates. 

A group of state and national sporting organisations are currently working through the impact of COVID-19 on community sport and recreation activities. Any updates will be provided as soon as they are available.

It is important that sporting organisations and clubs stay up to date on the latest COVID-19 information to ensure they can make informed decisions that best protect their members. The following links provide the latest updates, including information about prevention, diagnosis and treatment.

• Commonwealth Department of Health – COVID-19 Health Alert
• NSW Health – COVID-19 Information
• NSW Health – COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
• Australian Institute of Sport – COVID-19 and Sporting Activities
• World Health Organisation – COVID-19 Information
• NSW Office of Sport – Information for Sport and Recreation

Sport NSW also reminds you that personal hygiene is of paramount importance during this time, and we advise clubs and associations to be diligent with hygiene and cleaning of common areas. Shared facilities such as clubhouses, changerooms and toilets should be kept clean and adequate soap, hand sanitiser and disinfectants should be available. Encouraging participants, staff, spectators and volunteers to remain vigilant with their personal hygiene is also recommended.