Sport, exercise and physical recreation services sector guidance
Other Important Victorian State Government website links:
Further changes announced today with nearly all remaining restrictions to be lifted statewide for fully vaccinated people from 11:59pm tonight.
There’ll be no limits in the home and no caps or density limits for cafés and restaurants.
Masks will remain in some settings; e.g. for primary school staff and visitors and for students in Years 3 to 6, for workers serving the public at hospitality venues, for workers and customers at indoor retail, for visitors and select workers in hospitals or care facilities, and for people using public transport, taxi/rideshare and planes.
There will still be mask requirements, density limits and caps in place for weddings, funerals, places of worship and other settings if the vaccination status of attendees is not being checked. The usual exceptions will apply.
Important information for Yoga Studios whose staff may test positive to Covid-19
Self-quarantine obligations will be reduced across the board for COVID-19 cases and fully-vaccinated contacts.
From 11:59pm tonight, the vast majority of people who come into contact with a confirmed positive case outside their home won’t have to self-quarantine. These contacts will be required to get a standard (PCR) test and isolate until they get a negative result.
This means exposure in places like offices, restaurants or nightclubs won’t automatically result in quarantine for the patrons or staff, who previously would have been designated Primary Close Contacts at Tier 1 exposure sites.
Workers exposed at work will need to show a negative PCR test result to return to work or school – with recommended RAT testing thereafter.
In addition to isolation changes for contacts, people who have COVID-19 will be required to isolate for 10 days, instead of 14 days.
More updates as information becomes available. Note some of the links below will not work until the Government publishes them.
Obligations of business owners and implications of non-compliance
Victoria has now been re-opened for a few weeks and we are all getting used to this ‘new normal’. We understand re-opening has brought with it some new challenges and appreciate there is a lot of information to sift through and understand.
Re-opening resources and key links are provided below and in member communications and events, including a health and safety update and a seminar by our insurance partner GSA. We are reposting this information here in case you missed it.
If you are a yoga business operator, to meet your duties under the model WHS laws and minimise the risk of exposure to COVID-19 in your workplace, you should continue to apply all reasonably practicable COVID-19 control measures including physical distancing, good hygiene, regular cleaning and maintenance and ensuring your workers do not attend work if they are unwell or exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19.
You will also need to comply with any public health orders made by government that apply to you and your workplace, including the wearing of masks, or the checking of vaccination status where applicable, for example.
It is important to be aware that there are significant penalties for non-compliance and there may also be legal and insurance ramifications (including potential workers compensation claims).
Here are some key links:
Masks – Here is further clarification on the requirements for masks indoors in class settings –
No.
Masks are no longer mandatory outdoors.
You do not need to wear a face mask indoors when exercising or undertaking strenuous activity.
You must always carry a face mask with you unless you have a lawful reason not to, and you are encouraged to wear one outdoors when physical distancing cannot be maintained.
Victoria is expected to reach the 80% double dose vaccination mark towards the end of this week and may possibly reach the 90% mark by the end of November.
The key points about the changes announced on Sunday (yesterday) are as follows (links below):
From Friday 29 October at 6.00pm:
“Most indoor settings, including restaurants, pubs, gyms and hairdressers will open with no caps subject to a DQ4 (1 per 4sqm) limit, if all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated. Most outdoor settings will remain at DQ2 (1 per 2sqm) limit up to 500, where staff and patrons are fully vaccinated.”
Physical Recreation and Sport – from 6pm 29 October
Resources and Links:
With reference to evidence requirements, “Evidence of clients’ full vaccination status must be confirmed by the personal trainer for record keeping if engaging in outdoor personal training services in a group of five people.” and “Victorian businesses must use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service to check-in their workers, customers and visitors, with some limited exceptions”.
In terms of What employers need to do if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the workplace, all that information is here and also covered in the sector guidance – https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/sport-exercise-and-physical-recreation-services-sector-guidance#4-use-qr-codes-and-keep-business-records.
Workers required to be vaccinated
The following workers who are leaving home for work:
A physical recreational worker is someone who:
From 15 October 2021, in order to work onsite at a work premises, you must be able to provide evidence to your employer that you have:
This means that from 22 October 2021 onwards, you need to have received at least your first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine (unless you have a medical exemption) to attend work.
From 26 November 2021, you will also be required to provide evidence to your employer that you have received your second dose (unless you have a medical exemption) to attend work.
A work premises is anywhere you are required to be for your work outside the home (for example, a real estate work premises would include a home inspection, not just head office).
If you are working at or in any of the industries or facilities below, these requirements apply to you – including if you are:
How do I show evidence of my vaccination?
Evidence of your vaccination can include your Immunisation History Statement, or digital certificate, or a letter from a GP.
In the period before your immunisation history is updated, evidence of vaccination can include a recent booking confirmation email, or the card received at the time of vaccination.
What happens if I don’t meet these requirements?
If you can’t provide your employer with evidence that you meet the vaccination requirements for your industry which are outlined above, then your employer cannot allow you to enter the work premises (i.e. come on-site) to work.
If you are unable to attend work, this may affect your employment.
Relevant for Yoga Teachers:
Workers required to be vaccinated
The following workers will be required to show evidence of their vaccination to their employer by a certain date in order to continue working.
Authorised worker
What is an authorised provider or authorised worker?
Authorised providers are businesses and organisations that can open in Restricted Areas (i.e., metropolitan Melbourne and Restricted Area LGAs in regional Victoria) when there are only five reasons to leave your home, with an authorised worker being those individuals required to perform the essential tasks delivered by these businesses and organisations.
Anyone on this list – even if not in a locked-down area, must comply with this requirement.
How do I show evidence of my vaccination?
Evidence of your vaccination can include your Immunisation History Statement, or digital certificate, or a letter from a GP.
In the period before your immunisation history is updated, evidence of vaccination can include a recent booking confirmation email, or the card received at the time of vaccination.
What happens if I don’t meet these requirements?
If you can’t provide your employer with evidence that you meet the vaccination requirements for your industry which are outlined above, then your employer cannot allow you to enter the work premises (i.e. come on-site) to work.
If you are unable to attend work, this may affect your employment.
The most relevant new changes for Yoga Teachers below:
Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire
For more information visit:
Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has recommended some modest easing to restrictions from 11.59pm Friday, 17 September in lockdown areas of metropolitan Melbourne and Ballarat – expanding outdoor social interaction, exercise, the distance you can travel from home and more. There will also be some changes to COVIDSafe settings in regional Victoria – excluding the City of Ballarat. See 210916 Table of Restrictions for all changes.
The most relevant new changes for Yoga Teachers below:
For more information visit: