24 Sept 2021
Clarification For Owners and Operators Of Public Pools From Royal Life Saving & The Office Of Sport
This information is only current at the time of publishing and may be subject to change
Following a range of enquiries from the aquatic industry to Royal Life Saving regarding conflicting messages in the public domain regarding the NSW Health Orders and advice for Outdoor Pools, we have sought specific advice from the Office of Sport (Chief Executives Office) and NSW Health.
Clarification 1: What specific provisions are there in place for Lifeguards supervising an outdoor pool
NSW Health have recently clarified their position this can be defined as:
Lifeguards and Pool Operators living in a stay-at-home area (i.e. currently most areas in Greater Sydney and some regional areas) are able to attend their workplace if it is not reasonably practicable to undertake the work from home. - This would include lifeguard training as it is not reasonably practicable to undertake at home.
Lifeguards and Pool Operators from stay-at-home areas (i.e. currently most areas in Greater Sydney and some regional areas must register their travel with Service NSW if they are entering a LGA of concern from either Greater Sydney or from regional and rural NSW to carry out work in the LGA of concern.
Lifeguards and Pool Operators living in a LGA of concern are able to attend their workplace if it is located within their LGA and it is not reasonably practicable to undertake the work from home.
Workers leaving their LGA of concern for the purposes of work must be authorised workers and they must have received at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (or have been issued a medical contraindication certificate) and have registered their travel with Service NSW.
The list of authorised workers includes workers that are providing essential services for the maintenance, safety and upkeep of the pool – Lifeguards and Pool Operators.
Clarification 2: Are Learn to Swim and Swim Squads permitted
As of Friday 5pm NSW Health have indicated that there needs to be further clarification about this as this was not the intention of the Outdoor Pool in stay at home areas and areas of concern | COVID-19 Safety Plans
FOR FURTHER ENQUIRIES AND KEY REFERENCES
Outdoor swimming pools in stay-at-home areas and areas of concern | COVID-19 Safety Plan
Local Government Areas of Concern
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/affected-area
Greater Sydney Stay-at Home Restrictions
https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/rules/greater-sydney
Regional and Rural Stay-at Home Restrictions
