Road Map for easing restrictions in SA

When the Prime Minister makes recommendations to the states about restriction guidelines relating to COVID-19, each state must then consider how those recommendations will be applied. They are not enforceable in South Australia until the State Coordinator, Police Commissioner Grant Stevens, enacts a Direction.

The South Australian Directions apply to everyone living in, and entering, South Australia.

ROADMAP FOR EASING COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS

The South Australian government has today released a Roadmap for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions (PDF, 53.8 KB), with stage one to start on Monday 11 May and stage two, enabling sport competition to resume (max 20) without spectators, to start on 8 June.  These are all steps forward in our return to activity.

Earlier this week Athletics SA provided a plan to the Office of Recreation Sport and Racing using the National Rebooting Sport framework developed by the AIS as a guide.  Our plan proposes a series of actions and framework for our sport to reactivate in three key areas – development programs, training and squad activity and competition.  The plans that we and other sports submitted have been used by Health SA to help inform the decisions shared today.  We expect to receive feedback on our specific plans early next week and will be in touch with Clubs to arrange a virtual workshop to support reactivation and answer questions.

In brief, some guidelines for Step 1 athletics training effective from Monday 11 May include:

• Outdoor training only
• Playing fields (think typical athletics oval track & field size, AFL football ovals and soccer pitches) may be divided into three zones with up to 10 participants in each zone
• Toilets in clubrooms may be accessed. This use should be minimised
• Equipment sheds and storerooms may be accessed.  Again use should be minimised.
• Must have an equipment cleaning protocol and facility cleaning plan.
• Hand sanitiser should be available for participants.
• Distancing measures of 1.5m apart and no more than 1 person per 4m2 continue to apply.

The government is releasing Fact Sheets that will be available on their website soon - https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/  These will provide even more information.

Upcoming Winter Events - From June 8 onwards
With June 8 now being a guideline for us of when we can resume competitions of some form, we are now in the process in working with the Office of Recreation Sport and Racing to formulate the safest approach to hold our winter events. A revised winter format and event dates will be communicated once plans have been approved.

As we start on this road to recovery, our community will be asked to continue to respect the advice and guidance of our health experts on how to balance the health, economic and social implications of easing restrictions.