We understand that not all swim centres are equipped with the support or expert advice to deal with some of the concerns around human resources. AUSTSWIM has utilised our HR partner, HR Assured, to bring you access to a range of COVID-19 related information to help your centre through this difficult time.
 
HR Assured is one of Australia’s leading HR advisory companies, offering advice, support and services that you need to manage the complexity of HR and workplace relations.
HR Assured has created a library of resources that we are able to exclusively share with AUSTSWIM Recognised Swim Centres. They are also hosting live COVID-19 Q&A sessions twice a week starting with their National Workplace Relations Manager, Wes O’Donnell, along with new written material and e-books. This exclusive library will help you navigate this unprecedented time with a set of comprehensive resources which include up to date information on JobKeeper, pandemic leave, amendments to Fair work, changes to awards, working from home, and much more.

HR Assured Library of COVID-19 Resources  

Additionally, Adam Alijagic can assist with any enquiries AUSTSWIM Recognised Swim Centres may have regarding accessing additional services. Just indicate that you are an AUSTSWIM Recognised Swim Centre and HR Assured will be happy to provide you with discounted pricing (up to 20 employees). Adam is available on aal@hrassured.com.au or 0405 143 725

Our industry has faced a new challenge around the widespread nature of extended shut down. For many facilities this is likely the first time they have faced an extended shutdown. So how do we best manage these extended shutdowns to minimise our costs, minimise our risk and put ourselves in the best position to reopen in an efficient and effective way?

Thanks to Commercial Pool Systems (CPS) we have had some much-needed questions answered.
CPS talk you through some pool system management and treatment strategies to minimise costs and risks while you are closed.

Watch the All Things Pool Maintenance Webinar here

Or for more information for the CPS crew click here

Your staff are one of your most important assets. While they are unable to be in the water, we believe that keeping staff engaged will play an important role in a Swim Centres ability to reopen and recommence their lessons and programs. As a Swim Centre think about how you can keep your teachers engaged and ready to go.

To support AUSTSWIM Teachers during this time, AUSTSWIM has:

• a variety of free, live professional development webinars and online professional development opportunities to keep connected and engaged 

• Reduced pricing offers for online professional development courses

• Extended Teacher Licences for those AUSTSWIM Teachers whose licence expires between 20 March and 30 June 2020 (conditions apply).

It is up to individual state and territory governments to implement the national framework in their own time, and as appropriate to their local situation.

The Federal Governments three-step framework as it relates to sport and recreation 

Step one of the framework identifies:

• Non-work gatherings of up to 10 people
• No indoor physical activity including gyms
• Community centres, outdoor gyms, playgrounds and skateparks allow up to 10 people
• Outdoor sport (up to 10 people) consistent with the AIS framework for Rebooting Sport
• Pools open with restrictions

Step two of the framework identifies:

• Non-work gatherings of up to 20 people
• Up to 20 people allowed to participate in outdoor sports consistent with the AIS framework for Rebooting Sport
• Up to 20 people allowed to participate in all outdoor sports
• Pools open with restrictions

Step three of the framework identifies:

• Non-work gatherings of up to 100 people
• All venues allowed to operate with gatherings of up to 100 people
• Community sport expansion to be considered consistent with the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport

In preparation for reopening, all workplaces should develop a COVIDSafe plan.

Resources to assist workplaces can be found at Safe Work Australia

 

Swim centres should only recommence lessons when they believe it is safe to do so and in line with advice from their relevant state/territory government. Remember that the interpretation and implementation of the federal governments three-step framework will be a decision for individual state and territory governments.

Each step of the national framework identifies which businesses can reopen and the conditions under which this can happen. These conditions include maintaining appropriate physical distancing and hygiene practices.

The impact of physical distancing has a significant impact on the way swimming and water safety lessons have traditionally been delivered, and the nature of lessons means that close contact will continue to present a risk. There are many strategies and actions that may assist swim schools to comply with restrictions, including:

• Modify activities and use equipment to reduce physical contact
• Provide 1 on 1 lessons
• Modify your class sizes and reduce class ratios
• Adjust class times to reduce the number of people in the venue
• Modify the teaching space to allow for adequate distancing

Many swim schools will look to implement a variety of strategies to re-commence lessons. The delivery of swimming and water safety lessons in a way that ensures swim schools comply with restrictions is ultimately a decision for individual businesses. Swim schools will need to make their own determination as to the viability of operating in compliance with restrictions as they apply in the context of their venue and program.

AUSTSWIM maintains the position that only information from state, territory or federal government can be deemed the source of truth. Please remember that all liabilities and the impact thereof sit with the operator.

Royal Life Saving Society Australia 
Guidelines for Safe Pool Operations: Managing the Risk of COVID-19 in Aquatic Facilities 
https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/about/news-and-events/news-items/national-aquatic-industry-safety-committee-endorses-new-covid-19-guidelines-for-swim-schools-and-aquatic-facilities

COVID-19 Advice for Aquatic Industry and Swim Schools
https://www.royallifesaving.com.au/about/news-and-events/news-items/royal-life-saving-ceo-note-on-covid-19-advice-for-aquatic-industry-and-swim-schools

Safework Australia, 2020

COVID-19 Information for workplaces 
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/covid-19-information-workplaces

Resource Kit
https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/collection/covid-19-resource-kit

Australian Government, Department of Health 2020

Coronavirus Campaign Resources
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-campaign-resources

Environmental cleaning and disinfection principles for COVID-19
https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/environmental-cleaning-and-disinfection-principles-for-covid-19.pdf

COVID-19 infection control training
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covid-19-infection-control-training

COVIDSafe app
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/apps-and-tools/covidsafe-app

The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee recommended special provisions be applied to vulnerable people in the workplace
https://www.health.gov.au/news/australian-health-protection-principal-committee-ahppc-advice-to-national-cabinet-on-30-march-2020

State and territory information, grants and assistance 
https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Coronavirus-state-and-territory-information-and-assistance

• • Community sport and swimming pools can operate with 25 people throughout the venue or one person per 4 square metres of usable space, whichever is greater (excluding any staff on premises).
  • Tiered spectator seating can be used at 25% of total seating capacity, with physical distancing observed between groups.
  • There is no limit on the number of swimmers per lane in swimming pools.
  • Communal facilities (such as changerooms) can open if a risk assessment has been done and a strict cleaning regime is put in place. This should be outlined in the COVID Safety Plan.
  • Reduce contact with other swimmers, particularly if you are sharing lanes and at the end of the pool.
  • Put a process in place to ensure that shared equipment is appropriately cleaned between each use.
  • Sports and/or venues must have a Return to Play in a COVID Safe Environment plan, or a COVID Safety Plan (whichever is relevant).

For more information visit https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/ 

As of Saturday 13 June, a further easing of restrictions came into effect:

• Swimming pools capacity must not exceed one person per 4 square metres (with no upper limit)
• Operators must have a COVID-19 Safety Plan

On 12 June amendments were made to confirm the changes to the NSW Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order (No 3) 2020

 

From Wednesday 1 July, the following activities will be allowed:

• Kid’s sport and community sports competitions for those aged 18 years and under
• Adult community sport

No further details have been released yet. More information will be provided as it is known.

For further information visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

On 30 April 2020 The Chief Minister of the Northern Territory Michael Gunner announced a three-stage approach to the reopening of the NT.

• Stage one came into effect from noon on Friday 1 May 2020
• Stage two will commence when the Northern Territory Government decides it is safe to do so. Stage two is anticipated to commence 15th May 2020.
• Stage three will commence when the Northern Territory government decides it is safe to do so. Stage three is anticipated to commence 5th June 2020.

Venues will be required to complete a simple COVID-19 safety plan checklist to ensure they are operating within physical distancing and hygiene guidelines. This will be made available from 5 May.

This will not create a new approvals process or red tape. Businesses will be able to complete and submit the simple checklist prior to opening, with health officers making subsequent compliance checks.

For more detailed information see our latest articles

• What does the NT Roadmap to the new normal look like?
• UPDATE: NT Roadmap to the new normal 

Please note the links to the Northern Territory Government's Coronavirus Website – this also provides further information on the Roadmap and Stages, Restrictions, and the Chief Health Officer's Directions.

https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/

https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/community-advice/sports-and-recreation

On Friday 8 May 2020 the Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk released Queensland’s Roadmap to Easing COVID-19 restrictions. The roadmap outlines a staged approach to giving Queenslanders more freedom to travel, participate in more activities and hold more gatherings.

Queensland Stage 2 restrictions will commence from 12pm Monday 1 June (moved forward from 12 June).

• one person per lane per lap swimming
• a maximum of 20 people at a time per pool*
• limit total number of people. Where possible, up to one parent/carer per child, if necessary
• communal showers and change rooms are closed, toilets may remain open
• minimise the use of communal facilities
• shower with soap before and after swimming (at home, not at the pool)
• “get in, train, get out” to ensure no unnecessary co-mingling
• maintain social distancing and hand hygiene.

Provided that a businesses or organisation is in complete compliance with the requirements of an applicable COVID Safe Industry Plan and the relevant Health Directions, including social distancing requirements and floor space limits, they may have more than the limit of people in their venue or location as prescribed in the current stage of the Roadmap to Easing Restrictions.

Swimming Pool and Aquatic Centre Industry COVID Safe Plan as been approved by the Queensland Government

Queensland pools and aquatic centres may choose to opt into the approved Industry COVID Safe Plan and offer services beyond the limits prescribed in Queensland’s Roadmap to Easing Restrictions, provided they:

Complete the Swimming Pool & Aquatic Centre Industry COVID Safe Plan, implement all relevant measures and keep the completed plan on site.
https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/approved-industry-covid-safe-plans

Display the Statement of Compliance.
https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0030/129927/Statement-of-compliance.pdf


Swimming Pool and Aquatic Centre Industry COVID Safe Plan highlights:

Patrons of school age or younger which use swimming pools and accompanying facilities for training, education and general use purposes may do so:
- without a limit on the number of swimmers per lane or per pool
- in a class with a teacher delivering instruction based on swimming ability. Swimming lessons require children being in a potentially dangerous environment (water), therefore requires a necessary ‘hands-on’ component of teaching by qualified swim teachers. As such parameters around social distancing will not always be practical for in-water swimming lessons
- a buffer zone will be enforced between areas with children and adults to avoid contact or mingling between groups whilst swimming

Adults patrons have the following restrictions:
- all indoor areas: capacity limited to a maximum of 1 person per 4sqm of indoor space
- outdoor open area space: limited to groups of 20 people for outdoor sporting-based activities, with no more than 1 person per 4sqm and social distancing
- indoor and outdoor pools: capacity limited to a maximum of 1 person per 10sqm of water surface area
- a buffer zone will be enforced between areas with children and adults to avoid contact or mingling between groups whilst swimming
- booking system will be in place to record details of patrons
- appropriate staffing will be in place in line with the GSPO

Venue with multiple pools/spaces:
- each pool/space should be defined by the operator with capacity limits and control measures to ensure compliance/risk mitigation for each area.
- buffer zones should be in place between dedicated spaces and/or groups of 20.

Approved Industry COVID Plans here 

For more details visit: 

https://www.qld.gov.au/covid-19/government-actions/roadmap-to-easing-queenslands-restrictions

https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/roadmap-to-easing-queenslands-restrictions/sport/restrictions

The South Australian government has released a "Roadmap for Easing COVID-19 Restrictions", with Step 1 to start on Monday 11 May.

From 11 May 2020, public swimming pools can reopen, provided that the following requirements and recommendations are observed and followed. Public swimming pools:

Must:

• ensure there are no more than 20 swimmers per pool
• limit the number of people in each separate pool to 1 person per 4 square metres (density requirement)
• for lap swimming, limit swimmers to one per lane
• ensure swimmers are not accompanied by more than 1 caregiver who is not swimming
• keep communal showers and change rooms closed
• not provide food or beverages on site
• observe, and encourage observing of, social distancing (1.5 metres rule)

Should:

• minimise use of communal facilities that are not closed (toilets etc)
• encourage swimmers to shower with soap at home before swimming
• minimise unnecessary co-mingling, especially outside of the pool
• encourage good hygiene, offer hand sanitiser at entrance and exit
• monitor entry and exits to ensure the number of attendees does not exceed the maximum
• ensure frequent environmental disinfection cleaning of the premises
• implement signage/markings to support compliance by staff and patrons

Learn to swim Learn to swim is permitted. Both children and adults are included in the maximum number of 20 allowed in each pool noting the density requirement applies and that any group must not exceed 10 people. Attendees are encouraged to adhere to social distancing principles, but it is acknowledged this isn’t always possible for instructors.

Public Swimming Pool Fact Sheet 

From 1 June 2020
All types of water activities at the swimming pool are permitted as long as the following requirements are complied with:
1. No swimmer at the premises is accompanied by more than 1 caregiver who is not swimming; and
2. The total number of persons in any swimming pool at the premises does not exceed one person per 4 square metres, up to a maximum of 20 persons per pool.

For more information visit https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/recovery

Tasmania has a staged plan for lifting restrictions that has been developed specifically for Tasmania.

The changes are gradual, with careful monitoring of each stage to ensure safeguards are working in reducing the risk of outbreaks and enabling health authorities to respond if needed.

It is important to be aware of what rules are in place in the state. Read the Tasmanian Roadmap to Recovery.

Tasmania is currently in Stage 3 of lifting restrictions. Under stage 3:

Gatherings are limited to 500 people (including athletes and support staff) in an undivided space outdoors for community sport and 250 for an undivided space in an indoor premises, or a maximum of one person per 2 square metres under the density limit, whichever is less.

Indoor pools are limited to 250 people (including athletes and support staff) in each single undivided space, or a maximum of one person per 2 square metres under the density limit, whichever is less. Outdoor pools are limited to 500 people (including athletes and support staff) in each single undivided space, or a maximum of one person per 2 square metres under the density limit, whichever is less.

All people in any single undivided space count towards the maximum number of people permitted. For example, spectators at a pool, athletes and coaches, and canteen staff at a sporting facility are all counted within the maximum number of people permitted in that space.

For sporting and recreation facilities with multiple indoor or outdoor spaces, the gathering cap applies separately to each single undivided space. For example, a multi-purpose sporting venue with multiple, separate, undivided indoor spaces, could have up to 250 people in each of these spaces (the density limit applies).

Sporting and gym facilities must ensure there is at least one staff member or other authorised person present to supervise the premises at all times while it is being used (creation and maintenance of a record is recommended).

Sporting activities permitted based on Level C of the AIS Framework for Rebooting Sport, meaning the following are permitted:

• full contact training;
• full competition sport (contact and non-contact);
• sharing of equipment where necessary; and
• use of change rooms and other shared facilities.

Larger teams should consider maintaining some small group separation at training and non-essential social gatherings should be limited.

Gathering limits and the requirement to maintain physical distancing where practical applies to all sports, exercise and recreation.

For full details see "Our Plan to Rebuild a Stronger Tasmania" or visit https://coronavirus.tas.gov.au/ 

From 6pm on Sunday 2 August, if you live in metropolitan Melbourne, Stage 4 restrictions apply.

• A curfew is in place between the hours of 8pm until 5am. This means you must be at your home during these hours. The only reasons to leave home between 8pm and 5am will be work, medical care and caregiving.

• The four reasons that you can leave home remain, but further limitations are now in place for:
  • shopping for food or other essential items 
  • exercise (applies to outdoor exercise, and with only one other person) 
  • permitted work

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, Stage 3 – Stay at Home restrictions apply in regional Victoria and remain in Mitchell Shire. All swimming pools are closed 

For more information please visit:

https://www.vic.gov.au/coronavirus-covid-19-restrictions-victoria

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/sport-and-exercise-restrictions-covid-19

The WA Government has released a COVID-19 roadmap, which will see some restrictions relaxed further from 18 May. 

The four-phase roadmap will help get Western Australians back to work safely and begin the process of restarting the state’s economy.  

From 6 June 2020, Phase 3 of the WA roadmap will enable sport and recreation facilities to have a maximum of 100 participants per undivided space or 300 participants per venue. 

COVID Safety Plans help ensure businesses actively mitigate the risks of COVID-19. The plan should be available for inspection upon request by an authorised officer. If your business has multiple premises, you must prepare a COVID Safety Plan for each one.

In the plan, you need to explain how your business will implement the requirements and advice set out in the guidelines.

Sport and recreation facilities need to take the following steps to reopen or expand operations in Phase 3.  

If your facility’s capacity can increase in Phase 3, this needs to be reflected on a new COVID Safety Plan Certificate. 

• Complete a COVID Safety Plan prior to reopening. The COVID Safety Guidelines will help you complete the plan. 
• Display a COVID Safety Plan certificate (you'll find this in the plan). 
• Implement the necessary safety requirements. 

Safety requirements  

• Maintain a strict limit of a minimum of 2 square metres per person. 
• Ensure a maximum of 100 people per single undivided space, up to 300 patrons per venue. 
• Instructors, trainers, coaches and general venue staff are not included in the 100/300 person count. 
• Players, customers, patrons, participants, parents and spectators are included in the count. 
• Maintain 1.5 metre separation between people who are not from the same household.
• Maintain hygiene and frequent cleaning. 
• Self-complete a COVID Safety Plan prior to reopening/recommencing activity, and display a COVID Safety Plan Certificate at relevant sporting venues. 

In addition to the safety requirements, the following restrictions remain in place: 

Swimming pools (including at hotels and caravan parks)

• Restricted to a maximum of 100 patrons per indoor and outdoor area which is also subject to one person per 2 square metres.
• Change rooms and the toilets can also open.
• Venues with multiple pools can open multiple indoor and outdoor pools, as long as the total number of patrons does not exceed 100 in any enclosed area, and does not exceed 300 across the venue.
• Participants include spectators and swimmers.

Everyone is encouraged to continue to practice physical distancing and good personal hygiene at all times.

Under phase 2, in place from Monday 18 May 2020 public pools may now open in a limited capacity. They are restricted to a maximum of 20 patrons per pool which is also subject to one person per 4 square metres. Changerooms remain closed, but the toilets remain open.

Venues with multiple pools can open 1 indoor pool and multiple outdoor pools.

For example, “Outdoor Pool A” may have 20 participants and “Outdoor Pool B” may have 20 participants, provided there is at least 4 square metres of space per person.

In addition to this, 1 indoor pool may be open, with a maximum of 20 participants in it. 

Participants include spectators and swimmers.

Changerooms remain closed, but the toilets remain open. If the changeroom is the only way to access toilets in the facility, then they are permitted but only for the use of the toilets.

Businesses across Western Australia will need to prepare a COVID Safety Plan before they re-open, to protect staff and customers.

For more details visit 
https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/covid-19-coronavirus-latest-updates
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/document-collections/covid-19-coronavirus-sport-and-recreation