NSW Minister provides Public Health Order exemption for swim squad training

NSW Minister for Health and Medical Research Brad Hazard has provided an exemption to Coronavirus restrictions to indoor swimming pools for the purpose of participating in squad training.

Announced yesterday (19th May), the exemption is for pools of 25 metres or greater and stipulates that:

1. The pool can only be opened for the purpose of allowing squad training to take place.
2. Each lane of each swimming pool can only have one swimmer in the line at any one time.
3. There are no more than 10 persons in a swimming pool at any one time.
4. In any designated area for parents, family or carers, this area can only be used if there is sufficient space to ensure there are four square metres of space of each person in the designated area.

Designed to boost elite swimming training and for aquatic athletes in advance of the Tokyo Olympics, exemption covers staff members of the operator of the pool facility; swimmers using the pool to participate in squad training; trainers and coaches of the swimmers who are using the pool to participate in squad training; and parents, family or carers of swimmers who are using the pool for the purpose of squad training.

The order advises “it is the responsibility of operators and managers to ensure the re-opening and ongoing operation of venues is in compliance with NSW Government's easing of restrictions.”

Image: Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.