Rowing NSW – Guidelines applying to general area - Rowing During COVID-19: 70% vaccinated Roadmap

Published Sat 09 Oct 2021

At the time of preparation these guidelines relate to the current advice that is available and can change without notice. The Rowing NSW guidelines issued on 16 September should continue to be used, unless superseded by guidelines outlined in this document.

The Minister for Health has made the Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2021 (PHO) and accompanying Amendment to the Public Health Order. The object of these Orders are to repeal and remake the Public Health (COVID-19 Additional Restrictions for Delta Outbreak) Order (No 2) 2021 as part of the roadmap for easing restrictions when 70% of the population of New South Wales who are over 16 years of age are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
These orders are not in force until 12.01am Monday 11 October when all of NSW will be considered a "General Area". In a "General Area" Recreational Boating is allowed.

At the time of writing, no organised community sport competitions are permitted to take place until the first Monday after NSW hits the 80% double dose vaccination milestone for those aged 16 and above (currently expected to be Monday, October 25, 2021).

Rowing NSW will produce further updates in the lead up to the 80% double dose vaccination being achieved and/or following any changes to PHO’s.

For people who are fully vaccinated
From 11 October a person of at least 16 years who is fully vaccinated (i.e. two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine or a person with a medical contraindication certificate) can participate in the following:

Undertake sport and exercise at outdoor public gatherings in groups of up to 20. This figure includes participants, coaches and support staff.
Attend a group class or other group activity at a recreation facility (indoor) in groups of up to 20.
Community sport training activities that are compliant with the Public Health Order are able to take place.
Carpooling with people who are not members of their household.
Travel more than 5km from home or outside of Local Government Area (LGA), so long as:
- Those from within Greater Sydney (which includes the Central Coast, Wollongong, Shellharbour and the Blue Mountains) can only travel within Greater Sydney. N.B. Those outside of Greater Sydney in regional LGA’s may travel between regional LGA’s.

(Note: People under the age of 16 who are not fully vaccinated are allowed unaccompanied in all outdoor settings except at Sydney International Regatta Centre which is operating as a Major Recreation Facility)

For people who are not fully vaccinated
From 11 October a person of at least 16 years who is not fully vaccinated must not be in a vessel in the general area with another person other than a member of their household.

Schedule 6 of the Public Health (COVID-19 General) Order 2021 states that an unvaccinated adult means a person who -
(a) is more than 16 years of age, and
(b) is not a fully vaccinated person.
People who are not fully vaccinated may only carpool with others from their household and are also restricted to travel within their LGA.

It is the responsibility of the management group of each club and school rowing program to assess the NSW PHO’s in the context of their facilities, training environment, members’ or athletes’ technical (sculling) competence and health profile and determine to what extent it can be safely applied in their club or school. It is the responsibility of those participating in any gathering to comply with the vaccination or medical exemption requirements, and to obey the PHOs at all times.

Insurance
The Rowing NSW insurance program only apply to sanctioned rowing activities while those activities and while participants are compliant with the PHOs and are undertaken by 2021-2022 Financial Rowing NSW Members.
Members who are injured while participating in sanctioned rowing activities are covered by the Rowing NSW personal injury insurance for injuries sustained as a result of participation (subject to policy terms and conditions), however, claims related to COVID-19 are an exclusion under our policies.

RNSW Recommendations to Clubs and Rowing Schools
Rowing NSW provides the following general recommendations and reminders to rowing clubs and school rowing programs in NSW from 11 October following consultation with NSW Health, Office of Sport and Marine Area Command Police Force:

Rowing can occur that complies with the gathering rules. No more than 20 people who are fully vaccinated can gather together as long as they adhere to the requirements outlined in the PHO’s. This includes coaching and support staff.
All crewed boats are allowed so long as all members of the crew are vaccinated. Coxswains of stern coxed boats are encouraged to wear face protection (e.g. face mask or plastic face shield)
Rowers that are fully vaccinated and at least 16 years of age who are in a vessel in the general area with another person must carry evidence showing their name and place of residence. Rowers must produce this information for inspection if requested to do so by a police officer.

Rowing can occur for those who are not fully vaccinated where the entire crew is from the same household. The Public Health Order states that the occupier of recreation facilities (indoors) in the general area must take reasonable steps to ensure that an unvaccinated adult is not on the premises.
Boatshed facilities should not have a density of more than one person per 4m² and individuals must wear a fitted face covering upon entry;

Members that are feeling unwell or have been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 must not attend the boatshed.
Should a rowing club member be exposed to or diagnosed with COVID-19, the club should immediately cease operations and contact the NSW Health COVID-19 Helpline 1800 020 080 for guidance on contact tracing, cleaning requirements and potential isolation. The club should contact Rowing NSW to inform of them of the situation.
NSW Health COVID-19 safety plans are required to be created and implemented for each club and school premises. Plans must be able to be produced when requested by Rowing NSW.

Helpful links:
NSW Health – COVID-19 rules
Learn about the rules and restrictions in NSW and what you can do to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Public Health Orders
To deal with the public health risk of COVID-19 and its possible consequences, the Minister for Health and Medical Research has made a number of Orders, under section 7 of the Public Health Act 2010. Orders can be amended frequently.

COVID-19 Boating Update
NSW Maritime appreciates that many boaters and community members have questions about the public health orders and how they relate to water-based activities