Today the NSW Government announced community sport will be able to return following the achievement of the 80 percent double vaccination target. This announcement also included a number of further easing of restrictions for double-vaccinated citizens as well as additional easing of restrictions from December 1.

From the Monday after NSW hits the 80 per cent (aged 16 and over) double dose vaccination target, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have up to 10 people visit their home, participate in community sport, and access hospitality venues (where drinking while standing up will be allowed indoors). All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors, and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.

This is fantastic news for our softball community and now provides some guidance to our Associations and Clubs on the resumption of our sport. Based on the current rates of double dose vaccination, it is envisaged that this return will occur in the last 7 to 10 days of October.

VACCINATION CRITICAL TO PARTICIPATION

As mentioned throughout our continuous correspondence to the community, vaccination is critical in the return to participation for any individual, and we strongly encourage our Associations and Clubs to continue similar dialogue with their eligible members. Softball NSW will be following the government advice in relation to vaccination and participation in community sport and this information will be included in the Softball NSW Return to Train/Play Guidelines.

For more information on COVID-19 Vaccinations, please view the government's advice here.

SOFTBALL NSW RETURN TO TRAIN/PLAY GUIDELINES

Over the coming weeks, Softball NSW will work with NSW Health and the Office of Sport to finalise the details and requirements for the recommencement of community sport. This will include relevant guidelines and requirements that all Associations, Clubs, participants, and spectators will need to abide by. This information will be provided as soon as possible inclusive on the details of the required COVIDSafe Plans.

SOFTBALL NSW PATHWAY RESCHEDULING

Softball NSW welcomes today’s advice as it now allows the organisation to reschedule the postponed 2021 State Championships for our athletes and officials. These include the Under 12’s, Under 14’s, Under 16’s, Open Men’s & Open Women’s. We will be reviewing the Association scheduling preferences following the closing date of 5pm Tuesday September 28.

80 PERCENT ROADMAP SUMMARY

Under the Reopening NSW roadmap at 80 percent, the following freedoms will apply only to fully vaccinated adults (16+) and those with medical exemptions (staff and patrons).

For full details, please view the government website here.

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces

• Up to 10 visitors will be allowed in a home (not including children 12 and under)

• Up to 20 people can continue to gather in unregulated outdoor settings

• Up to 200 people can attend COVID Safe events

• Up to 500 people can attend controlled (ticketed and seated) events • Community sport permitted

• Those who are not fully vaccinated may only gather outdoors in groups of 2 people.

Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms

• Retail stores can operate at one person per 4 sqm (those who are not fully vaccinated will continue to only have access to non-critical retail via click-and collect)

• Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo and • massage) can operate with one person per 4 sqm (uncapped)

• Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 4 sqm inside and one person per 2 sqm outside, with the requirement to be seated while drinking indoors removed.

• Group bookings will be limited to 20 people. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only access hospitality settings for takeaway

• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities (excluding indoor pools) can operate with one person per 4sqm, capped at 20 people per class

Major outdoor recreation facilities

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 4 sqm, capped at 5,000 people (or by exemption).

Entertainment, information, and education facilities

• Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 4 sqm or 75 per cent fixed seated capacity (whichever is larger)

• Information and education facilities (including libraries, galleries, and museums) can operate with one person per 4 sqm

• Amusement centres and nightclubs will remain closed.

Working from home

• Employers must continue to allow employees to work from home, if reasonably practicable

• Employers must require employees who are not fully vaccinated to work from home, if reasonably practicable.

Education

• Return to school with COVID Safe measures on 25 October (as previously announced)

Weddings, funerals, and places of worship

• One person per 4sqm (uncapped) for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend weddings with a maximum of 5 guests (no receptions).

• One person per 4 sqm (uncapped) for funerals. Those who are not fully vaccinated may only attend funerals with a maximum of 10 people

• Churches and places of worship can continue to open with one person per 4 sqm, with no singing. Those who are not fully vaccinated will be allowed.

Travel

• Unrestricted trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW will be permitted

• Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate, including for those who are not fully vaccinated

• Carpooling is permitted. Those who are not fully vaccinated can only carpool with their household.

Masks

• Masks will remain mandatory for all indoor premises and settings, except children under 12

• Only hospitality staff will be required to wear a mask while outdoors

CHANGES FROM 1 DECEMBER 2021

On Wednesday 1 December 2021, the following settings will apply to all NSW citizens, regardless of their vaccination status: N.B This is a summary and for full details please view the government website here.

Gatherings in the home and outdoor public spaces

• No limit on the number of visitors to a home

• Density will shift to one person per 2 sqm for indoor and outdoor settings

• No limit on the number of people who can attend informal outdoor gatherings

• COVID Safe plan required for outdoor events with more than 1,000 people

• Community sport permitted for all people. Venues including hospitality, retail stores and gyms

• Retail stores can operate at one person per 2 sqm

• Personal services such as hairdressers, spa, nail, beauty, waxing, tattoo, and massage can operate with one person per 2 sqm

• Hospitality venues can operate with one person per 2 sqm inside and outside, with no seating required for eating and drinking

• Gyms and indoor recreation facilities, including indoor pools, can operate with one person per 2 sqm (uncapped)

• Intimate services can open with one person per 4 sqm

Major outdoor recreation facilities

• Major recreation outdoor facilities including stadiums, racecourses, theme parks and zoos can operate with one person per 2 sqm

Entertainment, information, and education facilities

• Entertainment facilities (including cinemas, theatres, music halls) can operate with one person per 2 sqm

• Information and education facilities (including libraries, museums, and galleries) can operate with one person per 2 sqm

• Amusement centres and nightclubs can open with one person per 4 sqm.

Working from home

• Working from home will be at employer’s discretion.

Education

• All year groups return to face-to-face learning.

Weddings, funerals, and places of worship 

• One person per 2 sqm for weddings with dancing permitted and eating and drinking allowed while standing

• One person per 2 sqm for funerals

• Churches and places of worship can operate with one person per 2 sqm, with singing permitted.

Travel

• Domestic travel, including trips between Greater Sydney and Regional NSW

• Caravan parks and camping grounds can operate

• Carpooling is permitted

• Quarantine settings for vaccinated arrivals will be altered.

A cap on unvaccinated travellers may remain.

Masks

• Masks wearing will be mandatory while travelling on public transport, on planes and at airports, and for front-of-house hospitality workers

• Mask wearing is not required when outdoors.

For further information about the Reopening NSW roadmap, go to www.nsw.gov.au/COVID-19.  

Should you have any questions here please contact Softball NSW Chief Executive Officer Daniel Rushworth via ceo@softballnsw.org.au