COVID UPDATE

In line with advice from the NSW Government advice, it is a requirement that participating clubs, teams, officials, players, and spectators exercise caution and Covid- safe practices when training and playing.

For the latest information regarding Covid-19 please stay up to date with the advice of NSW Health https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

With numerous active cases in the greater Sydney area (and the re-introduction of mask wearing) it is a requirement that we adopt the following practices around our sport to protect the community. These requirements and recommendations apply immediately – with updates provided as necessary.

Masks and QR Code/ Sign in:

Anyone attending football matches or training must wear a mask. This is mandatory when entering Seymour Shaw.

As well as scanning the QR code or signing in so we have record of those in attendance in case of any necessary contact tracing.

People may remove their mask only for strenuous physical exercise (e.g. to warm up, train, play or referee), or when eating or drinking, and must put their masks back on at all other times, including spectators, coaches, managers, officials, substitutes etc.

Similar to earlier orders, there are other exemptions that apply including for children under 12, people with autism or intellectual disabilities and other health conditions.

More detail is available here: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/Pages/public-health-orders.aspx#face-coverings

Movement of People:

People who either live or work in seven named LGAs (Bayside, City of Sydney, Canada Bay, Inner West, Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra) may not leave the Metropolitan area (as defined in the linked map: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/greater-sydney#metropolitan-sydney-map) without a “reasonable excuse” (see Schedule 1 of the PHO).

• The practical meaning of this as it affects football is that if you live or work in one of these areas, you cannot play football outside of the Metropolitan area.

Social distancing and Change rooms:

Capacity restrictions now apply so that spaces must have no more than one person per 4 metres squared, and masking also applies.

Therefore it is recommended that spectators be limited to one per participant wherever possible.

The use of change rooms is now likely to be impractical as it will be very difficult to remain compliant and therefore we have adopted what FNSW recommend in that change rooms will be closed and not used.

========================================== Specific to playing football please be advised as follows:

TRAINING

The following recommendations apply immediately to TRAINING.

• Observe hand hygiene practices before and after participating in training.
• Do not share drinks or drink bottles.
• Change-rooms not used and will remain closed.
• Social activity before and after is discouraged. We recommend arrival 15 minutes prior and departure immediately after training.
• Non participants to wear a mask.

PLAYING

The following recommendations apply to PLAYING.

• Observe hand hygiene practices before and after participating in a game.
• No handshakes prior to the start or at the end of a match.
• Team huddles, handshakes and high-fives and multi-player celebrations are discouraged.
• Do not share drinks or drink bottles.
• No spitting (on or around the park or on gloves)
• Spectators observe social distancing practices.
• Parents and spectators are asked to limit attendance where possible.
• Change-rooms are not to be used but are to remain closed.
• Team benches organised to 1.5 metres between coaching staff and substitutes.
• Social activity before and after is discouraged. We recommend arrival on-time prior and departure soon after games.
• canteens and BBQs are to follow their Covid-safe plans and practices.

• Coaches, Managers and Substitutes to wear a mask.