Just over a week ago the Queensland Government released the “Return to Play” guide to assist sport and recreation organisations return to activity while working under the Roadmap to easing restrictions.
. The Government has now released financial assistance packages for the industry under the Sport and Recreation COVID Safe Restart plan, more details below.
Return to Play - guide
The Sport and Recreation team has worked closely with industry through the Return to Play Advisory Group to prepare guidance material to support Queenslanders’ Return to Play. This includes The Return to Play guide for Queensland sport, recreation and fitness industries, fact sheets, checklist and frequently asked questions. The Return to Play guide will act as a single point of information providing details on what sport and recreation organisations should do during each stage of the Roadmap restrictions. The site also has examples, checklists and links to other useful resource sites that will assist in preparing your organisation to move back into full operation as we progress through each stage of the Roadmap.
This approach will also recognise that some activities may be able to return sooner than others based on the easing of restrictions. At a glance, this looks like: Stage 1 – May 15 Groups of 10, non-contact outdoor activities, parks, playground equipment and outdoor gyms, hiking and recreation activities in national and state parks. Stage 2 – June 12 Groups of 20, non-contact indoor and outdoor community sport, personal training, gyms, health clubs, yoga studios with an approved COVID-SAFE Plan, camping. Stage 3 – July 10 Potentially groups up to 100, reopening of stadiums, reopening of saunas and bathhouses. To further clarify what this means for Stage 1, please note that sporting organisations, including clubs, are not to commence training or competition during this time. This stage is intended to allow informal unstructured physical activity and training. Community sport and organised training is not scheduled to return until Stage 2 (mid-June). An exemption may be considered based on a detailed all-encompassing plan. All exemptions will be assessed by the department and then submitted for evaluation by the Return to Play Advisory Group (a subcommittee of the Sport Minister’s Advisory Council) before being considered by the Chief Health Officer who remains the authority on return to play in Queensland. If you have any questions regarding how this information relates to your sport, please contact your State Level Organisation for advice specific to their activity and relevant COVID Safe Plan.