COVID Update -22 July

From 6am Friday 23 July 2021, restrictions for South East Queensland will ease, however the requirements for face masks will continue for another 7 days and are set to be reviewed on/before 30 July 2021. The Roadmap to easing restrictions provides an overview of the all restrictions currently in place to protect Queensland.

These restrictions will now bring the South East Queensland local government areas (Brisbane, Moreton Bay, Ipswich, Logan City, Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Somerset, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim, Gold Coast) to the same restrictions currently in place for the rest of Queensland, noting the continuation of face masks and new restrictions around Stadium capacity.

Indoor venues and spaces:

• Compliance with the COVID Safe Checklist. This includes the collection of contact information through the Check In Qld App.
• Occupant density and physical distancing measures do not apply to the field of play
• It is not possible to observe physical distancing while undertaking activity however attendees must observe physical distancing off the field of play, to the extent possible.
• The total number of people permitted to attend an indoor venue is to be based on occupant density of one person per two square metres or 100% allocated seated and ticketed venues (whichever is preferred) off the field of play.
• Indoor events can have one person per two square metres or 100% allocated seated and ticketed capacity and need to comply with the COVID Safe Checklist.

Outdoor venues and spaces

• It is not possible to observe physical distancing while undertaking activity however attendees must observe physical distancing off the field of play, to the extent possible.
• Indoor spaces associated with outdoor based organisations such as clubhouses, will need to comply with the occupant density of one person per two square metres or 100% allocated seated and ticketed venues (whichever is preferred).

Stadiums (over 20,000 seat capacity)

• Stadiums for over 20,000 will now be capped at 75% ticketed capacity with allocated seating (with COVID Safe Site-Specific Plan).
• Patrons must wear a mask at all times, including when seated. Masks can be removed when eating or drinking.
• Patrons must be seated to eat and drink.

As mentioned above, the requirements around face masks will continue for another 7 days in South East Queensland. This includes if you have been in South East Queensland since 1am 29 June 2021, unless 14 days have passed since you were last in the area.

A mask must be worn at all times when outside of your place of residence, including in workplaces, where safe to wear a mask and you cannot physically distance, on public transport and when doing non‑vigorous exercise. Masks can be removed when seated for eating or drinking. There are some other exceptions to wearing face masks, including for children under 12 and people with particular medical conditions or disabilities. However, if in doubt, wear a face mask.

Importantly for our industry, you do not have to wear a mask if you are doing strenuous aerobic exercise such as high-intensity interval training, cycling, running or team sport. You may also remove your mask when exercising indoors if it is making it difficult to breathe.

All Queenslanders must wear a mask when at a stadium, at an airport, and on a domestic or international flight departing or arriving in Queensland.

Queensland Border Restrictions

From 1am Friday 23 July 2021, all of New South Wales will be declared a COVID-19 hotspot. A New South Wales border zone will come into effect at this time. A map of the Local Government Areas included in the NSW border zone can be found here.
New South Wales border zone residents can only cross the border for a permitted purpose. Likewise, Queensland residents can only enter the New South Wales border zone for a permitted purpose.

The website (linked above) includes a full list of reasons why you can and cannot cross the border. However, the following reasons are specific to our industry:

You can cross the border (if you are in the border zone) to:

• participate in organised sport you would usually participate in
• take a child attending organised sport (for example team sport related to their usual community sport or school-based sport)

Please continue to monitor the Roadmap to easing restrictions and the Travelling to Queensland website for the latest updates regarding the above restrictions. As more details are published by Queensland Health, the Return to Play website will be updated to reflect the current restrictions impacting sport, recreation and fitness.

I understand this is a challenging time with a lot of changing information, so if you have any specific questions, please email us at sr.covid19@dtis.qld.gov.au.