3:00pm, 9th September, 2021
NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, today announced a road map for the club industry to reopen.
As per the announcement, regional clubs in the state’s North Coast, Northern Rivers, New England and Northern Tablelands, Riverina and Murrumbidgee are permitted to reopen from 12.01am this Saturday, 11 September 2021. This is based on the absence of COVID-19 cases in these areas.
The list of regional local government areas (LGAs) remaining in lockdown can be found here. All regional areas not included on the list in the link may reopen this Saturday.
Clubs permitted to reopen from this Saturday are advised that there is no requirement for staff or patrons to be vaccinated, nor is there a requirement to verify someone’s vaccine status. Further information on vaccination can be found below.
The Government has stated that any regional area emerging from lockdown on Saturday will revert to a 14-day lockdown if cases are found in the region, so clubs which reopen should carefully consider the quantity of perishable food they hold as stock. Clubs in these regional areas are subject to the restrictions outlined below.
The Premier also announced that clubs in Greater Sydney are permitted to reopen on the Monday after NSW reaches the 70 per cent double-vaccinated milestone. The 70 per cent milestone is currently projected to occur on or about 18 October 2021.
Clubs in Greater Sydney are permitted to reopen following this 70 per cent milestone on the condition that all staff and patrons are fully vaccinated with two doses. The NSW Government is working on technology for patrons to use the Service NSW app to both check into the venue and verify their vaccination status.
ClubsNSW has strongly advocated for the reopening of clubs and thanks the NSW Government for its willingness to engage with industry to reach this outcome, with plenty of notice for clubs in Greater Sydney to get ready.
There are a number of details that are as yet unconfirmed and ClubsNSW will continue to engage with the government to seek clarity and will provide further advice to clubs as it becomes available.
Expiry of Lockdown for Parts of Regional NSW
Clubs in specified regional areas (see above) are permitted to reopen from 12.01am Saturday, 11 September, subject to the following conditions:
- The 4sqm rule applies in indoor areas with the 2sqm rule applying in outdoor areas
- Standing while drinking is only permitted in outdoor areas
- Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated
- Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated
- Masks are mandatory in all indoor areas, and for customer-facing staff in outdoor areas
- Indoor entertainment can reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Given the short notice, clubs in these areas are advised to promptly make preparations for reopening, such as advising staff and contacting suppliers.
It is important to note that it is not a requirement for clubs to only roster vaccinated staff.
Specifically in relation to staff, clubs may wish to consider:
- What functions/departments are necessary and how many staff in each will be required on reopening.
- Issuing letters to staff who are required to work upon reopening
- Ensuring the club has a COVID-19 Safety Plan and conducted the appropriate risk assessments for reopening, including an emergency response checklist of what to do in the event a staff member, patron or supplier has COVID-19 whilst at the club. Information on the most recent COVID-19 safety checklist – on which the COVID-19 safety plan must be based – can be found in Circular 21-143.
- Ensuring before commencing work staff are provided training on updated safety and hygiene practices including any Public Health Order requirements that are applicable.
It was announced this morning that community sport will not yet resume in regional areas exiting lockdown. ClubsNSW has been advised bowls will be able to resume and is seeking formal confirmation of this advice.
It is noted that the NSW Government specified that 14 days of zero cases may deem an area low-risk and therefore eligible to exit lockdown, with the whole state eligible to exit lockdown in approximately four to five weeks when the 70 per cent double-dose milestone is reached.
Reopening of Greater Sydney and Other Regional Areas
The Government has outlined that, on the Monday after NSW reaches the 70 per cent double-dose milestone, clubs may reopen subject to the following conditions:
- All staff and customers must either have two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine or a medical exemption
- The 4sqm rule will apply in indoor areas with the 2sqm rule applying in outdoor areas
- Standing while drinking is only permitted in outdoor areas
- Up to 50 guests can attend weddings, with dancing permitted and eating and drinking only while seated
- Up to 50 guests can attend funerals, with eating and drinking while seated
- Masks will be mandatory in all indoor areas, and for customer-facing staff in outdoor areas
- Indoor entertainment will be able to reopen with one person per 4sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity.
Vaccinations
The NSW Government has made clear that the broader easing of restrictions once the 70 per cent vaccination milestone is reached will be for vaccinated people only.
There is no requirement on those clubs permitted to open from this Saturday to only do so for vaccinated staff and patrons. To this extent, member clubs should take comfort that the NSW Government is confident to reopen certain regional areas without the need for full vaccination status. Clubs in these areas must operate with extreme diligence in terms of all other COVID-19 risk minimisation measures such as capacity rules, social distancing, masks, hygiene etc.
For more information or any questions, please contact the ClubsNSW Members Enquiries Centre.