Correct as at 3rd August 2020
| Question – | Answer – |
|---|---|
| Do I need to cover my face with a mask whilst running? | No. If you are doing strenuous physical exercise you do not need to wear a face-covering but you must carry one with you. — |
| What is strenuous exercise? | Strenuous exercise includes activities like jogging, running or cycling but not walking. — |
| What if I’m just out for a walk? | You must wear a mask. Strenuous exercise does not include walking. — |
If I wear a face mask do I still need to practise 1.5m physical distancing? | Yes. Face masks are not a substitute for physical distancing. — |
| When do ‘mask laws’ come into effect? | People living in Metro-Melbourne are required to wear a face-covering when they have to leave their home for one of the four reasons. From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August all Victorians are required to wear a face-covering when they have to leave their home for one of the four reasons. The fine for not wearing a face-covering will be $200. — |
| Is an athletics coach a personal trainer as its confusing because the rules says PT can train with two other people outdoors (Rule 7 above) | If you are a FULL-TIME coach where athletics coaching is your full-time profession (work) you can coach up to two others outdoors. If coaching IS NOT your full-time profession (work) you are not permitted to coach in person outdoors — |
| Can I, as a coach, have more than one group of two in a park/aths track at any one time provided they are well spread out? | No. The rule in place is no community competition or training is permitted. — |
I’ve seen photos of professional athletes training without adhering to the restrictions. Why do they get to train and I don’t? | As of the 3rd August, we are currently waiting on an update on professional athletes. — |
I’m an Elite/High Performance athlete. | As of the 3rd August, we are currently waiting on an update on professional athletes. — |
| Can I travel to Melbourne to exercise? | You cannot travel to Melbourne unless it’s for work or study, medical care and caregiving, shopping for food or supplies. Exercise is not a valid reason to travel. — |
| Club and Squad Training | FOR AA COACHES – If you are a FULL-TIME coach where athletics coaching is your full-time work/profession (you get paid for this role) you can coach up to two people outdoors. If you are not a full-time coach and work full-time in another profession (as your work) you can not coach outdoors during these restrictions. PLEASE NOTE – Please adhere to the rules. Coaching insurance will continue for ALL FULL-TIME coaches where athletics coaching is your FULL-TIME work /profession. If you are a part-time coach and your main profession (work) IS NOT athletics coaching, you are not allowed to coach outdoors and you will not be covered by AA insurance if you coach and are caught breaking this rule. — |
| I am a full-time athletics coach. Can I run sessions? | Yes. If you are a full-time coach where athletics coaching is your full-time profession (work) you can coach up to two others, in line with current restrictions. — |
| I coach a number of athletes as a ‘side-gig’ to my primary job. Can I still run these sessions? | No. If athletics coaching is not your full-time profession (work) you can not coach during the current restrictions. Part-time and Casual coaches can not train two people outdoors at a track or equivalent venue. You will not be covered by Athletics Australia insurance if you coach and are discovered to have broken this rule. This ruling has been provided by DHHS in correspondence where DHHS was asked if ‘athletics coaches’ fell under the definition of Personal Trainers. — |
| What are the penalties for non-compliance? | Victoria Police can issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses for: refusing or failing to comply with the emergency directions refusing or failing to comply with a public health risk power direction refusing or failing to comply with a direction by the Chief Health Officer to provide information. Fines of up to $20,000 for individuals and $100,000 for businesses are possible through the court system. — |
| I live on a suburb border. Can I run into that suburb as part of my exercise? | You must not travel more than 5km from where you live to exercise. — |
| Can I leave Melbourne or Mitchell Shire to exercise? | No. You must not travel more than 5km from where you live to exercise. — |
| My running group all live close to me. Can we exercise together? | You can exercise with one other person you live with or a friend or family member, as long as neither of you travel more than 5km from your home. Please use common sense and limit the number of people you see in person right now. It is safer to connect with friends and family using phone calls, social media and video calls. If you are exercising with someone else, you should keep 1.5 metres distance between you. Don’t hug, kiss or shake hands. — |
| My favourite running track is on the other side of the city. Can I still go there? | No. You must not travel more than 5km from where you live to exercise. — |
| I am a member of an athletics club 30 kilometres away and there is a park around the corner from my house, am I allowed to run at the track 30km away? | No. You must not travel more than 5km from where you live to exercise. Exercise is not a permitted reason to leave the Restricted Area, whether you have a membership at a regional sporting club or not. — |
| Can I go to the park? | Yes. You can go to the park for exercise and for wellbeing by yourself, with one other person or your usual household members. You must not travel more than 5km from where you live to exercise and must be able to maintain a 1.5-metre distance between yourself and others. No equipment should be shared. — |
| Where can I get more information? | Please refer to the DHHS website here. — |