COVID-19 Information
ADVICE FROM TENNIS VICTORIA 30/10/21
COVID-19 Update for new State Government Directions
Victoria has reached the 80% double dose milestone! Thank you to the tennis community that have played their part to help reach this milestone. Finally, we are back as one as a state!
The Directions from State Government are available on the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) website and clarification of these Directions can also be found on the Coronavirus website. Our interpretation of the many Directions for tennis are below.
Competitions and tournaments are back! Tennis as a community sport can return across Victoria for the minimum number required (singles and doubles play permitted) at indoor and outdoor facilities.
PREMISES / VENUES / TENNIS CLUBS
- If the premises is only open for community sport, you do not need to be fully vaccinated, or confirm vaccination status or comply with venue density limits.
- If you are opening the premises for other purposes (food and beverage, retail or social functions, gym), all patrons will need to be fully vaccinated and have their check-in status verified by a COVID Check-in Marshal and comply with density limits (1 per 4sqm for indoor and 1 per 2sqm for outdoor or up to 500). Toilets are excepted.
- The definition of community sport is all community sport playing activities that are authorised by the State Sporting Association. For tennis, this includes on court activities i.e. coaching, competitions, tournaments, training/social play and court hire.
- Clubhouses can open:
- If the clubhouse is open for the purpose of community sport only, you do not need to be fully vaccinated, or confirm vaccination status or comply with venue density limits.
- If the clubhouse is open for other purposes (food and beverage, retail or social functions) all patrons will need to be fully vaccinated and have their check-in verified by a COVID Check-in Marshal and comply with density limits of 1 per 4sqm. Toilets are excepted.
- Spectators are permitted subject to public gathering limits in the Stay Safe Directions No.28, in groups of no more than 30 (multiple groups must be spaced out).
- Shared equipment must be cleaned between users.
- At their discretion, some clubs may wish to introduce measures beyond the above guidelines. Tennis Victoria recognises and supports the ability of clubs to do so.
- All venues / clubs are required to have up to date and accessible COVIDSafe plans.
EMPLOYERS / BUSINESS OPERATORS / COACHES
- In addition to the above relating to premises, there is a requirement for employers to ensure all staff working at or in relation to a facility used for sport are either fully vaccinated or partially vaccinated (second dose due before 26 November 2021) as per the COVID-19 Vaccination Workers Directions. This requirement supplements employers’ health and safety obligations and could apply to paid coaching staff and paid administrators.
- Shared equipment must be cleaned between users.
- All businesses are required to have up to date and accessible COVIDSafe plans.
PLAYERS / PARTICIPANTS / SPECTATORS
- Everyone attending a tennis club must continue to Check-in via the Service Victoria QR code app.
- Face masks are required in indoor spaces only for ages 12+ (unless a medical exemption applies)
- There are no travel restrictions between Metro Melbourne and Regional Victoria.
- Shared equipment must be cleaned between users.
- Players are encouraged to practice the COVIDSafe principles
Thank you for all that you continue to do to provide tennis playing opportunities for our local communities.
Please reach out to the Tennis Victoria team and check out the Tennis Victoria COVID Toolkit for support during this time. We will continue to keep you updated and you can view this update and all future updates on the Tennis Victoria website.