Coronavirus update: NSW facility openings with 20 people allowed in classes

Australasian Leisure Management's pulling together of the lastest resources on restarting activities and facilities across all sectors of the industry.

NSW COVIDSafe Plans for gyms, sports and recreation venues
The NSW Government has released advice to operators to allow swimming pools, gyms and indoor recreation centres to open from 13th June.

Released on Wednesday, the series of COVIDSafe Plans for gyms, sports and recreation venues in NSW aim to create and maintain a safe environment for workers and visitors in the lead up to the easing of restrictions from 13th June.

Under NSW Public Health Orders, venues must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan for how they will keep participants, volunteers and workers safe.

To open to the public from 13th June 2020, operators can either:

• Use the COVID-19 Safety Plan (hyperlinked below) for:
    o Gyms
    o Indoor recreation facilities
    o Community centres and halls
    o Swimming pools, saunas and spas
    o Community sports competition, training and contact activities (from 1st July 2020).
• Develop their own plan to address the checklist of matters required within the applicable COVIDSafe plan above.

20 people allowed in NSW exercise classes
Fitness Australia has advised that the NSW Ministry of Health will allow gyms to operate classes with a maximum of 20 people in each space, plus the instructor and any assistants, as of 13th June. 

All social distancing requirements outlined in the COVID-19 Safety Plan apply - one person per four square metres.

Fitness First and Virgin Active
With Fitness First advising yesterday that all of its NSW gyms would open from Saturday, Virgin Active Health Clubs has also advised that its NSW facilities will also be open from 13th June.

Virgin Active is advising that space in classes must be booked on line and, in a Facebook post, noted "we’ll also be opening our saunas in line with guidelines too ... social distancing will apply and please use a towel."

Hepburn Bathouse and Spa
In Victoria, the Hepburn Bathouse and Spa reopened as of 1st June offering Spa Experiences, Private Mineral Bathing and (socially distanced) Hepburn Bathhouse soaking.

In a notice, the facility's management advised "pre-bookings are essential as is prepayment and online bookings are preferred due to limited capacity for onsite or phone booking services. This is to ensure your safety and allow for the highest of operating standards to be in place inline with state regulations."

Adult community sport in NSW to restart
Adult community sport can recommence at the same time as 18 years and under from the start of 1st July, as the NSW Government lifts more COVID-19 restrictions. 

NSW acting Minister for Sport Geoff Lee this week advised "sport is the lifeblood of our community and it gives me great pleasure to say adult sports can return to their competitions at the same time as 18 years and under.

“We have reduced the spread of COVID-19 to the point where further restrictions can be lifted. It is only because communities have followed the strict social distancing guidelines that this announcement is possible.” 

Food and drink premises in venues can open subject to the same requirements that apply in other food and drink premises and pubs and registered clubs. 

Stadium operators will be required to: 
• Develop and comply with a COVID-19 safety management plan; 
• Operate with restricted numbers (One person per four square metres and up to 50 people in each of the existing seated food and drinks areas, whichever is the lesser excluding staff members, on the premises) and 
• Keep contact details of persons entering the premises.