The newly appointed NSW Premier, Dominic Perrottet has made announcements this week allowing for a clearer approach to return to work and reopening of venues and activities within the NSW Aquatic Industry. Royal Life Saving is pleased to share a summary of these announcements below, along with our own ‘Back to Business’ plan.
As of Friday 8th October, the NSW Government and Public Health order has announced that from Monday 11th October:
Indoor Pools
Clause 2.2. has been amended to allow indoor pools to conduct swimming classes, lap swimming, squad training or rehabilitation activities only.
NSW Health has advised that the maximum gathering size for a group activity or class at an indoor pool is 20 people (consistent with indoor recreation facilities).
Public swimming pools (both outdoors and indoors, but not natural swimming pools) in the general area will need to use the updated Gyms and indoor recreation COVID-19 safety plan
Public swimming pool operators will need to take reasonable steps to ensure all people aged 16 and over on the premises are fully vaccinated or have a medical exemption (including staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors).
All NSW school students will return to school by Monday 25th October
Workers in regional areas who have received one vaccination dose will be permitted to return to their workplace and will be given a grace period until Monday 1st November to receive their second dose.
What does this mean for industry venues?
Indoor and Outdoor pools can open for swimming lessons, squad training, lap swimming and rehab activities with the following precautions in place as part of a comprehensive Covid-19 Safety Plan:
All staff fully vaccinated – proof of vaccination required for return to work (one dose vaccination for workers in regional areas until Monday 1st November)
All customers over the age of 16 fully vaccinated – proof of vaccination required for entry
Covid-safe check in continues for all staff and customers
Maximum of 1 person per 4 square metres in indoor venues; maximum of 1 person per 2 square metres in outdoor venues
Maximum of 20 participants per class or group for squad/ training activities
All staff and customers over the age of 12 wear face masks in indoor settings
All staff wear masks in outdoor hospitality settings (e.g., cafes attached to pool venues)
Guidance for businesses including how to ensure you business complies with a COVD safe plan is available at: https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/businesses-and-employment/covid-safe-business/vaccination-compliance-for-businesses
** Refer to additional links at the bottom of page for the most recent NSW Government Advice
What is Royal Life Saving NSW’s “Back to Business” plan?
Our Training Courses
Royal Life Saving NSW will recommence public, group and in-house training courses for workers who require training in order to return to work from Monday 11th October under a revised ‘Return to Face-to-Face Training’ Covid-19 Safety Plan and in alignment with the NSW Return to Vocational Education and Training (VET) Guidelines.
On top of continuing strict hygiene and distancing precautions, the following conditions will apply for all courses:
All trainers and participants fully vaccinated – proof of vaccination required upon entry (one dose vaccination for workers in regional areas until Monday 1st November)
Covid-safe check in continues for all staff and customers
Maximum of 1 person per 4 square metres in indoor spaces; maximum of 1 person per 2 square metres in outdoor spaces
Maximum of 20 participants per training course
All staff and participants wear face masks in indoor settings
All equipment is single user only
Our Aquatic Academies
Royal Life Saving NSW staff are working hard to ready the Aquatic Academy venues in Seven Hills and Dennistone East. These pools will open for third party users and a staged return to all other activities from Monday 11th October under a revised ‘Return to Operations’ Covid-19 Safety Plan.
The Aquatic Academy management team will communicate directly with all staff and customers about the planned return strategy.
Our School Programs
Royal Life Saving NSW will be continuing school water safety programs for schools online. This is in response to the current NSW government recommendations which limit excursions and do not permit external visitors.
Online programs will include primary school water safety education, junior water safety education and CPR leadership. These programs will be conducted on Zoom with participating schools. Materials such as CPR in a Box kits will be delivered to participating schools where necessary. Preschool water safety education programs and toddler water safety programs will also be held online.
Royal Life Saving NSW will reassess delivery of programs in accordance with updates from the NSW Government recommendations and hopes to resume face to face education programs for children from Wednesday 1st December.
Our Community Programs
From Monday 11th October, face to face community programs can resume. Planned programs such as community education talks and swimming and water safety programs will be able to proceed under a revised ‘Return to Face-to-Face Programs’ Covid-19 Safety Plan. Royal Life Saving NSW will be working with aquatic facilities and community groups to ensure that programs can safely proceed with appropriate precautions in place and effective communication to participants.
Funded swimming and water safety lessons for adults from culturally diverse backgrounds will resume and will be limited to 20 people per lesson. Key stakeholders will be communicated with directly regarding the return strategy.
Our Office Sites
The Royal Life Saving NSW workforce will begin a staged return to work process from Monday 11th October. All offices have remained accessible and contactable during the 2021 lockdown periods and continue to be available to assist customers and the broader Aquatic Industry through this transition period.
For further enquiries, please contact your preferred program area or relevant Regional Royal Life Saving Office:
Training Courses, General
Swim Teacher Courses, General
Community Programs, General
Aquatic Industry and Risk Services, General
Head Office
Telephone: (02) 9634 3700
Aquatic Safety Training Academy
Denistone East
Telephone: (02) 9067 3840
Seven Hills
Telephone: (02) 8814 8637
Email: sevenhills@royalnsw.com.au
Hunter Region - Newcastle
Telephone: (02) 4929 5600
Illawarra Region - Wollongong
Telephone: (02) 4225 0108
Riverina Region - Wagga Wagga
Telephone: (02) 6921 7422
Northern Region - Coffs Harbour
Telephone: (02) 6651 6266
Western Region - Orange
Telephone: (02) 6395 9716
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