Latest on Restrictions – 19 Oct 2020

From Gavin Wall today:

Dear Club Commodores, Secretaries, Club captains and GMs,

I have now gained clarification on what the announcement from the Premier on Sunday the 18^th means to sailing. The below framework will be updated on the Victorian page of the AS COVID Hub later today (https://www.sailingresources.org.au/covid-19/vic/)

I will keep you updated on the next steps as further information comes to hand.

Regards

Gavin

Changes for Metropolitan Melbourne 19 October 2020

• • You can now travel up to 25 km from your home or permitted workplace within metropolitan Melbourne. This replaces the 5km rule. Travel to regional Victoria is still only allowed for permitted purposes even if this is within 25 kms. This means you cannot travel into regional Victoria for exercise or recreation.
  • You can leave home for any period of time to exercise or see friends and family outdoors. This replaces the two-hour limit on these activities. There are no limits on the number of times you can leave home.
  • You can meet in a group of up to ten people from a maximum of two households outdoors in a public place to socialise (children under 12 months of age not included in the limit). An outdoor public place means areas accessible to everyone, including local parks and beaches. This replaces the limit of five people from a maximum of two households.
  • You can exercise in a group of up to ten people from a maximum of two households outdoors in a public place (personal training is limited to two people plus the trainer). This replaces the limit of five people from a maximum of two households.

Sailing Specific Summary:

Organised club sailing

Organised club sailing, training, or racing is NOT permitted. Sailing is only permitted as exercise as per the following points.

Sailing for Exercise

Single handed sailing or with a maximum of 10 people from a maximum of 2 households is now permissible as part of exercise with no limit on time. You must adhere to the following:

• • You must stay within your 25km radius (if you live 10km from your launching sport, then you can only sail 15km from shore)
  • If you are sailing with someone from another household (as part of the maximum 2 households) you MUST keep 1.5 metres distance 100% of the time and wear masks
  • You must wear face masks while on land
  • You must keep 1.5 meters distance from others 

Can I use sports club facilities?

• • All club facilities are closed for member and public use, except for toilets
  • Club restaurants and cafes open for take away and delivery only.

Boat yards 

Any servicing works that relate to providing Safe Operation of a vessel can now commence – a sensible, logical case needs to be made that the work relates to safety, is part of the regular service or logbook service, and/or is undertaken for risk prevention for when the vessel is back in the water. Aesthetic or other works that do not relate to the safe operation of the vessel cannot be undertaken as they are not permitted.   
All work must be carried out by professionals who hold a valid work permit and COVID Safe plan. Owners of vessels are NOT permitted to carry out maintenance work on their vessels.

I will leave it for others to make comment.

Needless to say, I am disappointed that our sport of competetive sailing, which could be done quite safely within the restrictions is still not allowed.

Hopefully there will be more to come.

Fair Winds

John Hall
Commodore