More on RESTRICTIONS
 

Date: 30th Sep 2020

Dear Members

I received this today from Australian Sailing:

“Dear Club Commodores, Club Captains, Sailing Managers and GMs,

The government has given the all-clear for boating. In doing so DHHS has removed the distinction between powered and non-powered. We are very pleased that the government has identified that boating can take place in a very COVIDsafe manner, and indeed that boating is ideally suited as an activity, and as exercise, in terms of social distancing.

It is very important to note that it must be within the persons 5km zone, take less than two hours, be alone or with family (or a max. of five from two households), follow the social distancing requirements including 1.5m, and be COVIDsafe. So if a boater lives 2km from the water, they can go no more than a further 3km when on the water (This distance limit now applies to sailing as exercise as well).
 
There is however still some confusion that the BIAV  are working through with government and that relates to facilities. We are hoping this will be clarified today and have advised government of how crucial that it is. As soon as more is known we will send a follow-up item. This will relate to the boat ramps, marinas, and other facility access, as this is currently unclear.

Regards

Gavin Wall

Regional Manager – Victoria”

AS GAVIN SAYS, THERE IS STILL SOME CONFUSION! – for example- we do not know what the rule is regarding travelling more than 5km to get to your boat in a marina, so that you may go boating for exercise – we dont know whether this is allowed or not! It would make sense that it would be allowed, but at present there is NO CLARITY.  Hopefully, this will be clarified soon.

The BIA have this on their website:

“BOATING ALLOWED IN POWERED AND NON-POWERED VESSELS
30/09/20 12:30pm

As highlighted on Channel 9 News yesterday, on other media platforms, and through social media, the government has given the all-clear for boating. In doing so DHHS has removed the distinction between powered and non-powered. We are very pleased that the government has identified that boating can take place in a very COVIDsafe manner, and indeed that boating is ideally suited as an activity, and as exercise, in terms of social distancing.

This is therefore very good news for boaters and the industry.

It is very important to note that it must be within the persons 5km zone, take less than two hours, be alone or with family (or a max. of five from two households), follow the social distancing requirements including 1.5m, and be COVIDsafe. So if a boater lives 2km from the water, they can go no more than a further 3km when on the water.
 
There is however still some confusion that we are working through with government and that relates to facilities. We are hoping this will be clarified today and have advised government of how crucial that it is. As soon as more is known we will send a follow-up item. This will relate to the boat ramps, marinas, and other facility access, as this is currently unclear.”

Hear, hear!

All I can say is watch this space – I am hopeful that some common sense will be brought into the regulations and restrictions, but then again, I am an optimist at heart!

John Hall
Commodore