NATIONAL COVID-19 UPDATE
1 February 2021

Dear ,

With Term One now upon us, I felt it prudent to provide a review of the rules around camps and in particular, school camps.
 
I note that this information is current at the time it was issued, but it is probable that some rules will change as the various governments review their own restrictions.
 
This has been issued as a National update as we do have many cross border visits by schools. I have not attempted to comment on current border restrictions, as this area seems to be extremely volatile and subject to rapid and significant changes, depending on where case numbers are.
 
General comments
 
Business confidence is still low, with much of this nervousness being driven by the willingness of state and territory politicians to close their borders with little notice. When the same quick and dramatic response to new cases applies to internal state boundaries, as we saw with the Northern Beaches of Sydney or Brisbane recently, this is seemingly eroding confidence in our sector (and other sectors) that the worst is over. CVA members are, by and large, pleased with forward bookings but remain cautious as to whether these bookings will materialise. In essence, many members are nervous about whether all of their current future bookings will materialise, and there is a reluctance to commit to spending, based on current projected future profits due to this uncertainty.
 
Cancellation Policies
 
I have recently booked a conference venue for a CVA event in 2021. Their cancellation policy was separated between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19. If I wished to cancel the booking for reasons that were not COIV-19 related, then penalties started being incurred from 120 days out from the event.
 
However, if there needed to be cancellations due to a COVID-19 incident (eg border closures), then these could be applied for up to 14 days prior to the event.
 
In other words, COVID-19 cancellations could be enacted closer to the event date than simply a change of mind.
 
I would encourage all members to consider such a response. A client who is fickled and wishes to try and use COVID as the excuse for cancelling, where there is no basis for this claim, may need to be held to account.
State-specific rules and guidelines
ACT
 
Non-School Groups
 
Max numbers
500 persons
 
Density Rules
1 per 2sqm, providing the CBR app is being used for contact tracing.

School Groups

Max numbers
The ACT Department of Education’s website information, updated January 27th, 2021 (see https://www.education.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0008/1693862/ACT-Public-Schools-in-2021-and-COVID-19-final-27012021.pdf) states that camps can proceed providing that “density, physical distancing and check-in requirements are met”. These appear to be the same as was in place in late 2020, though are difficult to locate.

New South Wales
 
Non-School Groups
 
Max numbers:
Maximum numbers governed only by the density rules (4sqm for Greater Sydney, 2sqm for all other parts of the state).
 
Density Rules
Within Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong – 4sqm per person, though this is flagged to change on or around February 12th, 2021
 
N.B. Rest of State: 2sqm
 
School Groups
 
Max numbers
Density Rules: – Teachers should maintain appropriate social distance from each other, there is not density rules for students
 
Contact Tracing requirements:
The NSW Department of Health have advised that registration via QR codes is NOT a requirement for groups, however, a record of who is in attendance is mandatory. Service NSW has recommended that a Record of Visitors at Premises be completed. This can either be the NSW Health template found here (https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2020-09/COVID-19-record-of-visitors-at-premises-form.pdf)

or by using a customised version.
 
CVA has developed a contact tracing visitor record template that can be downloaded and modified. This can be found here.
 
It is suggested that the group leader conduct a “roll call” using this template at the beginning of the camp (or when they get on the bus) and then provide this to you.
 
This process can be used for all groups, not just school groups.
 
Other keys points regarding contact tracing are
  • Data must be kept for a minimum of 28 days from the date a guest DEPARTS the site. It must then be destroyed.
  • The data collected can not be used for any other purpose, and you cannot use this data for promotional purposes, etc.
  • For any visitors who are not on this list, they must either fill out a separate visitors log, or sign in via the Service NSW QR code (which should be available at your office)
 
Northern Territory
 
Non-School Groups
No maximum limit though physical distancing and hygiene principles should apply.

Max numbers
No maximum numbers are specified, though for groups in excess of 100 a COVID-19 safety checklist needs to be completed (see https://forms.nt.gov.au/Produce/Form/COVID19/NT%20COVID-19%20Small%20Events%20Checklist/)

Density Rules
There appears to be no density rules in the Northern Territory (and self service buffets are allowed!)

School Groups
School groups can proceed without restriction.

Contact Tracing requirements
Customer details must be recorded. There is no requirement to use the NT Government’s system if a system is already in place. The information that is collected for COVDI-19 tracing purposes should be kept for a minimum of 28 days after DEPARTURE and then destroyed as soon as practical after that period.
 

Queensland
 
QLD remains operating under the Queensland Outdoor Educators COVID Safety Plan, for all groups. This plan refers to “school aged children” as opposed to school camps, and thus the rules can be applied across all groups bookings.
 
The most current Safety Plan can be found here.
 
 
Density rules apply for adults (e.g. non-school aged persons).
 
School Camps:
In addition to the Industry Covid Plan, the QLD Department of Education has developed a comprehensive guideline for school activities in case of a new outbreak. This can be found here https://qed.qld.gov.au/aboutus/newsandmedia/Documents/qed-industry-plan-2021-state-schools.pdf.
 
I draw particular note to the following, extracted from this plan -
 
Excursions and camps:
At action levels 2 and 3, excursions and camps are permitted to be held at Department of Education Outdoor and Environmental Education Centres (O&EEC) or at locations or businesses that have an approved COVID Safe Industry Plan  or are using a COVID Safe Checklist. O&EECs with residential facilities are required to follow the Queensland Government's approved COVID Safe Industry Plan for outdoor education providers.
It is recommended that schools insert the following clause to the consent section of their activity consent form (DOC, 344KB):

  • I give consent for my child's name to be given to businesses visited during this activity in compliance with the Queensland Chief Health Officer's Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No. 4) (or its successor)

If a student's parent/carer does not provide consent via the activity consent form, or by other means that will allow the school and venue to comply with COVID Safe Industry Plans, the student will be unable to participate.

Excursion/camp risk assessments must be undertaken prior to approval and must take into account approved COVID-19 control measures.
In addition to the general excursion and camp requirements, music camps for students must adhere to the Instrumental Music Program guidelines for managing hazards associated with COVID-19 (PDF, 403KB).

At action level 4, excursions and camps must not occur.
 
Max numbers:
These are governed by the current density rules as applied to adults.
 
Contact Tracing requirements:
A digital record of all attendees, ideally including accommodation room number, must be kept for a minimum of 56 days from date of DEPARTURE from the facility. After that period these records should then be destroyed.


South Australia
 
A COVID marshal is required. If the group is less than 200, then an existing staff member can perform this duty alongside their other tasks. However, if the group is larger than 200, a dedicated COVID marshal is required.
 
To be a COVID Marshal, appropriate training is required (see https://marshal.clickontraining.com.au/)
 
Non-School Groups
 
Max numbers:
Maximum numbers are governed by the 2sqm rule rather than any absolute cap.
 
Density Rules
1 person per 2sqm should be adhered to for all indoor spaces. This ratio only applies to guests and excludes staff.
 
School Groups
 
Max numbers
There are no maximum numbers specified for school groups, providing teachers and other accompanying adults can adhere to the 2sqm rule.
 
Density Rules
Students do not need to abide by density rules though teachers and other adults attending should adhere to density rules of 1 per 2sqm.
 
Contact Tracing requirements
The use of either the COIVD Safe Check-In feature on the mySA GOV app or a paper option is acceptable. A template from the SA government of the paper template is available here https://www.covid-19.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/209594/Contact-Tracing-Record-Attendance-at-public-activities.pdf.
 
These records should be kept for a minimum of 28 days from date of DEPARTURE and then disposed of as soon as practical.
 
Tasmania

Non-School Groups
 
Max numbers
Maximum of 250 people per undivided space, governed by 1 per 2sqm. This number includes staff.

250 per space.
 
Density Rules
1 per 2 sqm metres in all indoor settings.
 
School Groups

Currently, the only Department of Education school camps that are allowed are those that are “related to student learning”, providing a School Camps Safety Plan is completed before the camp. A change on this is expected by February 5th, 2021
 
Max numbers
There are no maximum numbers prescribed.
 
Density Rules
Students do not need to adhere to social distancing requirements, though teachers and other adults still need to abide by these.
 
Contact Tracing requirements
Name and contact numbers should be obtained for all guests who visit. Whilst the “Check in Tas” app is available, it is not mandatory to use this.

Victoria
 
Non-School Groups

Max numbers
A maximum group size of 30 persons (excluding children under 12 months of age) is in force, however multiple groups of 30 are allowed to attend a facility (see https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-01/Industry%20Restart%20Guidelines%20-%20Accommodation%20%7C%20COVIDSafe%20Summer.pdf)
 
Groups may share a common area but not accommodation facilities (ie persons from separate “groups” cannot be in same accommodation room, though they may share dining, meeting facilities, etc).
 
Density Rules
Maximum numbers in any area is governed by 2sqm IF electronic record keeping is being used. If electronic record keeping is not used, then ratio is 1 per 4sqm.
 
School Groups
 
Max numbers
There is no maximum numbers
 
Density Rules
The density rules do not apply to school children though teachers should adhere to density rules. However, students are encouraged to “practise social distancing where possible”.
 
Multiple school groups allowed on-site at the same time.
 
Contact Tracing requirements
An electronic record keeping of visitors to a camp is strongly encouraged (and reduces density rules from 1 per 4sqm to 1 per 2sqm), whth the Victorian Govt QR code system, via Service Victoria App. For groups arriving together, this QR scanning is impractical, and thus a spreadsheet or similar, with (as a minimum) first and last name and contact number should be obtained. It would also be preferable if this record also notes the accommodation room number for each guest.
 
These records should be kept for 28 days from the date the guest DEPARTS, and then should be destroyed as soon as practical after that period.

Western Australia
 
With much of WA now in lockdown until Friday February 5th, we will watch how the situation regarding the new COVID-19 case announced on Sunday January 31st emerges. The recent similar lockdown in metropolitan Brisbane indicated that restrictions can ease rapidly if community transmission is found to be low.
 
Non-School Groups
 
Max numbers
The maximum number is governed by the density rules, but excludes staff for spaces that can hold less than 500 persons.
 
Density Rules
1 person per 2sqm
 
School Groups
 
Max numbers
There is no maximum number that can attend a school camp.
 
Density Rules
Students do not need to abide by density rules though teachers and other adults attending should adhere to density rules of 1 per 2sqm.
 
Contact Tracing requirements
A contact registry is required, which should include first and last name and phone or email address.
 
The SafeWA app should be used for individuals who attend a facility or small groups. Other electronic options are also acceptable.
 
Note that the WA Government’s website states that “Unaccompanied children under 16 are encouraged but not required to register” (see https://www.wa.gov.au/government/publications/covid-19-coronavirus-contact-registers-businesses-and-venues-frequently-asked-questions).
 
Blessings,

Graeme