COVID-19 Update For Spectators, Players & Officials
NSW chief medical officer Dr Kerry Chant has asked all community sporting organisations to help decrease the number of people gathering at sporting events in response to rising case numbers in NSW and the ongoing risk of COVID-19 transmission in the community.
Apart from the usual COVID-19 requirements for participants, officials and spectators to stay away from training sessions and games if they are unwell or experiencing flu-like symptoms, the NSW Ministry of Health has also requested the following to be excluded:
Participants (including spectators and officials) if they have visited Victoria in the 14 days prior
Participants (including spectators and officials) if they have attended any of the reported case locations on the dates and times listed on the NSW Health website.
It is important that the football family supports the NSW Government and the broader community, by continuing to promote the limiting of spectators, and encouraging participants to check if they have attended any of the affected venues. This is effective immediately and is vital for the successful continuation of our competitions throughout the state.
Community sporting organisations have also been reminded to:
Take all reasonable steps to minimise the number of spectators attending games.
Ensure the number of people in a facility does not exceed one person per 4 square metres of space (excluding staff) to a maximum of 500 people. This includes only essential parents and carers, particularly at junior games.
Acting NSW Sports Minister Geoff Lee said the government wanted to “minimise community sport spectators where practical”.
“We’d prefer no aunties and uncles, grandparents or siblings crowding the sidelines if they don’t need to be there,” he said.
To help ensure that football can continue to operate and the appropriate safeguards are in place to the reduce the risk of transmission, all players, parents, officials and spectators are required to comply with the following:
Wash and/or sanitize hands before and after attending all training and games.
Players arrive dressed and ready to train or play
Limit the use of changerooms
Players must comply with the 1.5m social distancing rule (except during games)
Do not shake hands, high five or hug other players, officials, team officials or spectators
Do not share drink bottles
Limit the number of spectators that accompany you to training and games
Avoid bringing anyone who is elderly or may be at high or increased risk of illness
Do not attend if you have flu like symptoms or are feeling unwell
Spectators must comply with the 1.5m social distancing rule at all times unless from the same household
All participants and spectators must cover their coughs and sneezes
Players and spectators must not socialize or assemble in groups before, during or after training or games
Once training and games are finished depart the venue as soon as possible
Get tested for COVID-19 if you develop flu like symptoms
Further information
Football NSW COVID-19 Resources