ACT COVID update – masks are mandatory

Face mask requirements – COVID-19 (act.gov.au)

This is an update from the ACT Department of Sport and Recreation

Bottom line up front: For indoor community sport, the requirement for face masks applies. When attending indoor sporting venues and pools, participants and referees are required to wear face masks before and after games or activity, as well as in common areas. Masks are not required for participants and referees when participating. Spectators are required to wear masks at all times, including when visiting cafes or canteens associated with many indoor sports venues. Staff that are interacting with the public are required to wear masks also.

(Full text – received Tue 29/06/2021 12:23 PM)

FACE MASKS NOW MANDATORY

Face masks are now made mandatory in the ACT when out in the community for persons over 12 years of age.  Information regarding this requirement is at https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/act-status-and-response/face-masks

While there continue to be no active cases in the ACT, a proactive approach is being taken to support the strengthened travel restrictions that were put in place last week.   The requirement for face masks applies when people are on public transport or indoors with people that they don’t usually live or work with.  A 48 hour transition period has been given to allow businesses and the community to adapt to these new requirements.  No timeframe has been set for the duration of this measure.

For indoor community sport, the requirement for face masks applies. When attending indoor sporting venues and pools, participants and referees are required to wear face masks before and after games or activity, as well as in common areas.  Masks are not required for participants and referees when participating.  Spectators are required to wear masks at all times, including when visiting cafes or canteens associated with many indoor sports venues.  Staff that are interacting with the public are required to wear masks also.

When visiting a gym, masks are similarly required while entering the facility, in a common area or waiting for a class.  Masks can be removed during your workout and put back on afterwards.

The ACT sport and recreation sector has been proactive in adapting to health directions and adopting COVID-safe practices, including additional cleaning, physical distancing and hand sanitising.  The requirement for facemasks is another line in our immediate defence to keep COVID-19 out of Canberra. Importantly, we need to ensure that our participants and spectators continue to use the Check In CBR app.  The Check In CBR app is available across a range of facilities that support community sport and physical activity, including indoor venues, school facilities, commercial businesses and sportsgrounds. 

Your continued support in keeping Canberra safe is appreciated.

FAQs for sporting organisations:

Should participants wear masks when in changerooms before, after and during matches?
There is no need for participants to wear a mask in changerooms while getting changed, resting during a match or undertaking physical activity. However changerooms are considered a common/shared area and we would encourage people (such as coaches and support staff) to wear a mask in the changerooms if they aren’t participating in the game.

Can coaches take their mask off while coaching or training an indoor sport if it helps to communicate with their team/participants?
While indoors, all spectators and support staff including the coach, need to wear a mask with the exception of umpires participating in the game/match. However, if the coach is communicating with their players, including anyone who is deaf or hard of hearing, and visibility of the mouth is essential for communication, then they may remove their mask and replace it as soon as practicable after the circumstance ends.

Do coaches that are actively engaged in their training activity need to wear a face mask?
No – while a coach is engaging in physical activity, they may remove their mask.

Do outdoor coaches that are delivering a service to a participant, including tennis coaches and bootcamp instructors, need to wear a face mask?
No – this applies to indoor venues only. 

Should people wear masks when working at or buying something at a canteen?
When working in a canteen, which provides goods or services to the public, a mask must be worn by staff. In indoor sporting venues, people buying from the canteen must wear a mask, including when queuing and ordering. In outdoor sporting venues, people buying from the canteen are strongly encouraged to wear a mask, when queuing and ordering.

If we have office staff that are not directly working with or servicing the public, while associating only with their “normal” workmates, do they need to wear a mask?
No – masks are only required in customer facing roles.

At enclosed grounds where alcohol is served, is that a licensed premises and that masks must be worn inside the enclosed oval?
If people are at an enclosed oval and are outdoors, they do not need to wear a mask. If they are indoors, patrons are strongly encouraged to wear a mask while in the indoor venue but can remove the face covering while eating and drinking. Anyone working at the oval, who has contact with the public, must wear a mask at all times.