COVID-19 UPDATE: 17/11/20

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Dear Presidents and Members,

On Monday 16 November 2020, the Premier announced a range of new temporary restrictions that South Australia will adopt from 12:01am 17 November 2020. The full information relating to these restrictions can be found at www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/recovery. Here is the link to the new “Directions” issued by the Police Commissioner as the State Co-ordinator https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/emergency-declarations/public-activities.

This communication is to be concise and exact around what these temporary restrictions mean for our organisation. In the absence of specific directives relating to us, Surf Life Saving South Australia (SLSSA) will be adhering to the intent of the restrictions which is to shut this outbreak down and get on top of it as quickly as possible. In all previous communications on this topic I have been clear and consistent about the responsibility we have as an iconic, trusted and community focussed organisation to be a part of the solution rather than being part of the problem.

The following are how the current Government restrictions will impact us for the next two weeks;

Nippers and Junior Activities

  • Under the current Directions “Community Sport Fixtures and Training are temporarily cancelled”

  • All nipper training, including the main weekend session and any related training sessions cannot be delivered.

Member Education and Training

Under current advice we are being encouraged to avoid contact with other people, work from home and stay home where possible. Based on this advice it is the right call for us to not deliver proficiencies, training or assessment for the next two weeks. If these restrictions go beyond two weeks we will deliver a modified proficiency through exemption to ensure we have qualified and proficient patrolling lifesavers. We already have processes in place to deal with Lifesavers not proficient by 31 December or who do not achieve the required patrol hours. So under the current restrictions the following cannot be delivered:

  • Club training, assessments and proficiencies cannot be delivered (people can still be completing online proficiencies and online training over the next two weeks).

  • State bulk assessment scheduled for 21 November cannot be delivered

  • Silver Medallion Aquatic Rescue Course scheduled for 22 November cannot be delivered

Surf Sports Training and Competition

Under the current Directions “Community Sport Fixtures and Training are temporarily cancelled”. The following cannot be delivered:

  • Swim Carnival 1 scheduled for 21 November

  • Board and Ski Carnival 2 scheduled for 22 November

  • ASRLSA Surf Boat Carnival scheduled for 28 November

  • SA Surf League Round 1 scheduled for 28 November

  • Club based training and competition cannot be delivered. The only training permitted under the new directions is training delivered by a paid professional as part of their livelihood (essential). We understand we cannot stop individuals from exercising, nor do we want to, but to be clear this exercise is the choice of individuals and not endorsed, organised, or therefore insured by surf life saving.

Club Facilities

  • Gym closed

  • Changerooms and showers closed (other than essential toilet use)

  • Club equipment should not be used

Club Hospitality Operations

  • Must adhere to 1 person per 4sqm

  • Maximum 100 persons per venue

  • No standing consumption of alcohol (including outdoor)

  • Seated dining only

  • Maximum booking size of 10 persons

Meetings, Workshops, Camps and Forums

  • SLSSA meetings, workshops and forums will be conducted via digital platform only (i.e. no face to face), this includes:

  • Officials Panel meeting (17 Nov)

  • New Officials face to face Workshop

  • SLSSA AGM and State Council (25 Nov)

  • SLSSA Youth Officials and Media Camp, 27-29 Nov (Robe) cannot be delivered

  • Youth High Performance Camp scheduled for 27-29 Nov (Robe) cannot be delivered

Clubs are encouraged to conduct all meetings scheduled for the next two weeks via digital platforms.

Patrols and Emergency Operations

We are encouraging Clubs to adopt common sense practices and ensure that social distancing, hygiene and importantly public perception is managed.

  • Clubs focus on having minimum patrolling members on the beach as is necessary to manage their environment and visitation.

  • SLSSA recommends that any patrol member who is unable (due to self-isolation, illness or obligation as a carer) or does not feel comfortable attending patrol, should not be penalised.

  • We encourage Clubs to foster social distancing through setting up more roving and outpost patrols and generally limit the number of members patrolling at any one place at any one time.

  • Clubs should still ensure that they are always 24/7 rescue ready.

Surf Central:

  • Based on Government advice for the next two weeks SLSSA will be implementing the following:

  • We are encouraging our staff to work from home

  • The front door will again be locked to limit unannounced visitors and limit potential exposure

  • We will have a skeleton staff at Surf Central

  • Our staff will still be servicing you as per normal through phone and emails

Given the uncertainty around the recent cluster and the potential for it to grow exponentially very quickly, the information in this update is subject to change upon government advice.

I again want to thank you for the way you have responded and led in these troubling times. We are still very hopeful that we will have a long and successful season and so it is vital that we all play our part now to ensure that this can be the case.

As always, if you need any more help, advice or assistance please don’t hesitate to reach out to any of the team at SLSSA.

Kind regards,
Damien Marangon
Chief Executive Officer
Surf Life Saving SA