Member Area Resources - COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
Group Gatherings

Page reviewed - 21 May 2020

• On 29 March 2020, the Australian government announced further social distancing measures, including that playgrounds, skate parks and outside gyms in public places will be closed as of midnight Monday 30 March 2020. Read the Prime Minister’s media release here and the press conference here. 

29th March 2020 - Prime Minster's Update on Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings

• Indoor and outdoor gatherings have now been reduced to two! Find out more form the Prime Minister's media statement here.

  
  "Indoor and Outdoor Public gatherings

  National Cabinet agreed to limit both indoor and outdoor gatherings to two persons only. 

  Exceptions to this limit include:

  • People of the same household going out together;
  • Funerals - a maximum of 10 people; 
  • Wedding - a maximum of 5 people;
  • Family units. 

Individual states and territories may choose to mandate and/or enforce this requirement. Australians is to stay home unless for

• shopping for what you need - food and necessary supplies;
• medical or health care needs, including compassionate requirements;
• exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements;
• work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.

• National Cabinet’s strong guidance to all

National Cabinet agreed that playgrounds, skate parks and outside gyms in public places will be closed. Bootcamps will be reduced to two persons, including the trainer. 

These measures will be in place from midnight tomorrow night."

 

• On 26 March 2020, the Tasmanian government announced that Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife Service will close all national parks and reserves to public recreational use from midnight on Thursday 26 March. Read the government’s media release here. 

• On 25 March 2020, the NT government confirmed that Territory campgrounds, multi-day walks and high-use day areas that encourage groups to gather, will be closed from 5pm Thursday 26 March 2020. Read the government's media release here

• On 24 March 2020. The Prime Minister clarified existing measures and introduced new measures to reduce the spread of the virus. The new measures apply from 11:59pm on 25 March 2020. Read the Prime Minister’s press release here and see a breakdown of prohibited activities and exceptions. Read the transcript of the press conference here. You can read the Victorian Premier’s response to the latest measures, released on the 25 March 2020, here.

23 March 2020 (VIC ONLY) - Victoria Police Coronavirus enforcement squad

• Victoria Police has established a coronavirus enforcement squad. Read the Premier’s media release here. 

23 March 2020 (VIC ONLY) - Update from Sport & Recreation Victoria

• Sport and recreation organisations have an important role to play to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in the Victorian community.

  The Prime Minister has announced that, from midday on Monday March 23 2020, all states will shut down pubs and clubs, cinemas, nightclubs, casinos, gyms, indoor sporting venues, churches and places of worship.

  Premier Daniel Andrews has also advised that Victoria will implement a shutdown of these non-essential activities.

  For many sporting and recreation organisations, this announcement will have a direct impact on your operations with gyms and indoor sporting venues to cease from midday today.

  At this point in time sporting, recreation and racing organisations within an outdoor setting can continue to operate, however you must adhere to latest physical distancing restrictions and bans on non-essential gatherings of 100 or more people indoors and 500 or more outdoors.

  The Premier has flagged that this is the first stage of the shutdown of non-essential activities and you should be prepared for further shutdowns and restrictions to be implemented over the coming weeks. For the latest information and updates, visit the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website.

  The Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion economic survival and jobs package includes refunds of payroll tax paid in 2019-20 financial year for small and medium-sized businesses with payroll of less than $3 million and a new $500 million Business Support Fund.

  The same businesses will also be able to defer any payroll tax for the first three months of the 2020/21 financial year until 1 January 2021 - register your interest with Business Victoria to receive more details of the support package.

  The Australian Government’s $189 billion package includes grants of up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not‑for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000.

  If you have queries about the shutdowns or support available, please contact Business Victoria’s dedicated hotline on 13 22 15 or speak with your relevant association or peak body for advice for your sport or sector.

  The situation continues to rapidly change and we urge you to regularly check the DHHS coronavirus website for updates.

  The following information is correct as of 23 March 2020. For the latest information, visit https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus.
  
  READ THE FULL RELEASE HERE.

 

20th March 2020 - Prime Minister's Update

• On 20 March 2020, the Prime Minister announced risk mitigation measures for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people. Read the details in the Prime Minister’s media statement here.

  • "Indoor Gatherings

    As previously advised, non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people are not permitted.

    This does not apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities, medical and health care facilities, pharmacies, emergency service facilities, correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals, Parliaments, food markets, supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centres, office buildings, factories, construction sites, mining sites, freight and logistics terminals, where it is necessary for their normal operation (although social distancing and hygiene practices are required in these settings).

    National Cabinet agreed to risk mitigation measures for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people including the following:

    • In a given occupied space, there must be a density of no more than one person per four square metres of floor space. The 4 square metre arrangements for venues will come into effect from 20 March 2020 and will be mandated through state and territory regulatory arrangements.

      • For example, there can be 25 people in a 100 square metre room, who should maintain a physical healthy distance between each other of 1.5 metres.

    • Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles must be made available, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal taking place.

    • The Department of Health recommendations for unwell individuals to isolate at home must be promoted.

      • For example:

        • Cinemas and theatres will decrease density of patrons, which could include alternate seating, staggered seating and alternate rows, except for family groups who may be seated together.

        • Seated restaurants may need to undertake a capacity reduction in order to meet the above density requirements.

  • Safe food and utensil handling statement for catering

    The National Cabinet noted the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice that the primary transmission route for COVID-19 is person-to-person; it may therefore be transmitted via utensils or plates that have been handled by someone who has COVID-19.

    • For catering, advise staff if they feel unwell to stay at home, and deny entry to staff who are unwell.

    • All food, including pre-packaged foods such as boxed lunches, should be prepared by staff trained in safe food handling practices.

  • Ensure hand washing facilities are accessible for staff and supplied with adequate soap and paper towels.

    Further information is available here: https://www.health.gov.au/committees-and-groups/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc

    Outdoor Events

    As previously advised, outdoor events of fewer than 500 attendees may proceed. There are general measures that all events should follow:

    • In a given occupied space, there must be no more than one person per four square metres of ground space.

    • Availability of hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.

    • Promotion of the Department of Health recommendations for unwell individuals to isolate at home and not attend.

  • Food markets are exempt from the 500 person limit, however must undertake additional measures, such as control of patronage level numbers or stall density reduction to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

  • Special exemptions for limitations on indoor and outdoor gatherings

    There may be other gatherings that are not specifically mentioned here that are considered essential. The National Cabinet agreed that it is at the discretion of the individual state and territory Chief Health Officers or equivalent to assess each on their merits, and determine whether they can continue if mitigated by social distancing measures.

    The development of any guideline requires continual re-evaluation and amendments or new guidelines may be released as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to progress."

• The Prime Minister confirmed on 18 March 2020 that outdoor events of fewer than 500 attendees may proceed. There are general measures that all events should follow, including:

  • In a given occupied space, there must be no more than one person per four square metres of ground space.

  • Availability of hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.

• The Prime Minister confirmed in his announcement (15th March 2020) that non-essential static gatherings of more than 500 people should no longer occur.  The operation of essential functions, including schools, universities, workplaces and public transport should continue but the principle of 'social distancing' should still apply in these settings. The Prime Minister acknowledged that if the gathering is outdoors in much more open gatherings,  that reduces the risk of transmission.

 

Prime Minister's Media Statement (Excerpt) - 18 March 2020

Excerpt of Prime Minister's Media Statement on 18 March 2020 regarding indoor and outdoor gatherings can be found below:

"General Population - Indoor Gatherings

As part of our efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Australia, the National Cabinet has accepted further restrictions on gatherings.

The National Cabinet has accepted the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) advice that non-essential indoor gatherings of greater than 100 people (including staff) will no longer be permitted from Wednesday 18 March 2020.

• An indoor gathering refers to a gathering within a single enclosed area (i.e. an area, room or premises that is or are substantially enclosed by a roof and walls, regardless of whether the roof or walls or any part of them are permanent, temporary, open or closed).
• This does not apply to essential activities such as public transportation facilities, medical and health care facilities, pharmacies, emergency service facilities, correctional facilities, youth justice centres or other places of custody, courts or tribunals, Parliaments, food markets, supermarkets and grocery stores, shopping centres, office buildings, factories, construction sites, and mining sites, where it is necessary for their normal operation (although other social distancing and hygiene practices may be required in these settings).

The states and territories will give further consideration to practical guidance and rules for non-essential indoor gatherings of fewer than 100 people (including staff) such as cinemas, theatres, restaurants/cafes, pubs, clubs, weddings and funerals. This will be considered at the next National Cabinet meeting on Friday 20 March 2020. In the meantime these venues should continue to apply social distancing and hygiene practices.

• This includes being able to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between patrons. 
• Hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles need to be available, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.

This may require significant changes to the operation of some venues, such as reducing the maximum capacity or increasing the space available. 

Settings like gyms, indoor fitness centres and swimming pools are not required to close at this time providing they meet these requirements for social distancing and hand hygiene. Such venues should take actions to ensure regular high standards of environmental cleaning take place.

General Population - Outdoor Gatherings

Outdoor events of fewer than 500 attendees may proceed. There are general measures that all events should follow, including:

• In a given occupied space, there must be no more than one person per four square metres of ground space.
• Availability of hand hygiene products and suitable waste receptacles, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal.

Food markets are exempt from the 500 person limit, however must undertake additional measures, such as control of patronage level numbers or stall density reduction to decrease the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

There may be other gatherings that are considered essential and it is at the discretion of the individual state and territory Chief Medical Officers or equivalent to assess each on their merits, and determine whether they can continue if mitigated by social distancing measures...."

Read the full statement here.