The Premier has announced Stage Three of the shutdown of non-essential activities in Victoria to help slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Public gatherings are now restricted to a maximum of two people, except for members of your immediate household and for work or education.
Public playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms are now closed, effective midnight 30 March 2020. Outdoor bootcamps and personal training sessions are now restricted to two people and they must also adhere to the latest physical distancing restrictions.
The Premier has said there are only four reasons to leave your home: food and supplies, medical care, exercise, and work or education. If you can stay home, you must stay home.
On 28 March 2020, the Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services announced that Victoria Police now have the power to issue on the spot fines of up to $1,652 for individuals and up to $9,913 for businesses who don’t follow the rules.
These directives build on the existing restrictions on non-essential activities, which include the closure of:
- gyms and indoor sporting venues
- health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities
- social sporting-based activities
- swimming pools, both public and shared
- saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres
- community and recreation centres. These facilities may remain open for the purposes of hosting essential voluntary or public services, such as food banks or homeless services.
Racing activities are currently classified as a workplace and racetracks across Victoria can continue to operate.
Racing bodies have implemented strict controls to monitor everyone entering race facilities and there is a ban on all spectators visiting the racetrack. Racing clubs must also adhere to the latest physical distancing restrictions.
I recognise that for some sport and recreation organisations the Stage Three restrictions may raise some questions about how these should be applied for your individual or organisation’s circumstance.
DHHS has published the signed Stay at Home Directions and Restricted Activity Directions from the Deputy Chief Health Officer. Please use these as your source of truth to understand how these new restrictions legally apply to you or your organisation.
If you still have queries about how the Stage Three restrictions, in the first instance please contact the DHHS COVID-19 hotline 1800 675 398 and select option two to speak to someone who can help. Please contact us at info@sport.vic.gov.au if you have questions that cannot be answered through these channels.
I also acknowledge this continues to be a challenging time for our sectors and I’m pleased to report that one of the key programs of the Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion economic survival and jobs package, the $500 million Business Support Fund, has officially opened.
The Business Support Fund will help small businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, including those in the sport and recreation sectors that have had to close or limit trading due to shutdown restrictions.
Those businesses can apply for a $10,000 grant towards operational costs and to help keep people in work.
To be eligible, businesses must already employ staff, have payroll of less than $650,000 and a turnover of more than $75,000. Full details on eligibility and how to apply are set out on the Business Support Fund webpage business.vic.gov.au/businesssupportfund.
The Prime Minister has also announced the new $130 billion JobKeeper to help employers retain their staff as some businesses move into hibernation. The payment will be open to eligible businesses that receive a significant financial hit caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and will provide the equivalent of around 70 per cent of the national median wage.
We are also encouraging those who have lost their jobs as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) to register interest in the Working for Victoria Fund to help them find new job opportunities.
If you have queries about the shutdowns or support available, please contact Business Victoria’s dedicated hotline on 13 22 15 or speak with your relevant association or peak body for advice for your sport or sector.
Remember, the situation continues to rapidly change and we urge you to regularly check coronavirus.vic.gov.au for updates.
I thank you again for your support and professionalism as we work as a community to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Peter Betson
Head | Sport, Recreation & Racing
Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions
Common questions
Can our sporting or racing club and active recreation organisation still operate?
The Premier has announced that these Stage 3 restrictions will come into effect from 11:59pm, Monday 20 March 2020 and will be reviewed after four weeks.
Under the Stage 3 restrictions, public gatherings will now be restricted to a maximum of two people, except for members of your immediate household and for work or education.
Under the Restricted Activity Directions, a person who owns, controls or operates a recreational facility in Victoria must not operate that facility between midnight on 30 March 2020 and midnight on 13 April 2020.
Boot camps and personal training services can continue only if they are outdoor with a maximum of two people at any one session. They must also adhere to the latest physical distancing restrictions.
DHHS has published the signed Stay at Home Directions and Restricted Activity Directions from the Deputy Chief Health Officer, which detail how these new restrictions will be legally applied.
If people breach these directions, they face on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses. Larger fines can also be issued through the courts.
If you have queries about how the Stage Three restrictions apply to your individual or organisation’s circumstance, please refer to the DHHS’ State of Emergency website or call the DHHS COVID-19 hotline 1800 675 398 and select option two.
Please contact us at info@sport.vic.gov.au if you have questions that cannot be answered through these channels.
Racing activities are currently classified as a workplace and racetracks across Victoria can continue to operate.
Racing bodies have implemented strict controls to monitor everyone entering race facilities and there is a ban on all spectators visiting the racetrack. Racing clubs must also adhere to the latest physical distancing restrictions.
For further information check out the appropriate racing body:
For the latest information and guidelines visit coronavirus.vic.gov.au
What financial support is available to my sporting and recreation organisation?
The Victorian Government’s $1.7 billion economic survival and jobs package provides a range of measures to help support businesses impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19).
The new Business Support Fund includes $10,000 grants for over 30,000 employers who don’t pay payroll tax through the new Business Support Fund.
To be eligible, businesses must already employ staff, have payroll of less than $650,000 and a turnover of more than $75,000. Full details on eligibility and how to apply are set out on the Business Support Fund webpage business.vic.gov.au/businesssupportfund.
The Australian Government’s $189 billion package includes grants of up to $100,000 to eligible small and medium sized businesses, and not‑for-profits (including charities) that employ people, with a minimum payment of $20,000.
The Prime Minister has also announced the new $130 billion JobKeeper to help employers retain their staff as some businesses move into hibernation. The payment will be open to eligible businesses that receive a significant financial hit caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and will provide the equivalent of around 70 per cent of the national median wage.
The Government is encouraging those who have lost their jobs as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19) to register interest in the Working for Victoria Fund to help them find new job opportunities.
If you have queries about the support available, please contact Business Victoria’s dedicated hotline on 13 22 15 or speak with your relevant association or peak body for advice for your sport or sector.
How long will the COVID 19 issue affect my club or activity?
Currently the State of Emergency declared in Victoria has been set until midnight 13 April 2020, but due to the evolving nature of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic this could be extended. We are closely monitoring the DHHS coronavirus website for updates.
The Department of Health and Human Services is working around the clock with health services, the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, and international agencies to respond to the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19).
For the latest information, visit dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus
What can I do in the interim if training and competition has been postponed?
It is important for everyone to stay fit and active, for our physical health and for our mental wellbeing.
You can still get active even if you are in isolation. For great ideas to get active, check out the Premier’s Active April website.
My organisation received a government grant to assist with a program/event that may not run due to coronavirus (COVID-19) – do we need to return this payment?
The Victorian Government is assessing contractual obligations and financial arrangements with organisations on a case by case basis.