Dear Members,
Last night the NSW Government released their updated Public Health Order (PHO) – linked here.
The key message is that Hills Football and our member clubs can continue to conduct football activities but that existing COVID-19 Safety Plans be reviewed and that steps are taken to ensure compliance with rules around masks, movement and social distancing.
Masks:
Anyone attending football matches or training must wear a mask.
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, 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
Social distancing:
Capacity restrictions now apply so that spaces must have no more than one person per 4 metres squared, and masking also applies.
Compliant use of change rooms is now likely to be impractical. Both Football NSW and Hills Football Inc recommend that it is a common sense step to close change rooms.
Canteens and BBQ’s may still be operation under Covid-19 safe operations; though this will be at each Clubs discretion.
We are confident that our Hills football community will come together to ensure that we comply with these orders. We trust that everyone from players to officials to spectators will be mindful of their responsibility to our community more broadly and does the right thing.
Wear your mask, practice social distancing, and if you’re unwell, get tested and then stay home.
