As restrictions begin to lift many of us are itching to get back to our clubs, open the doors, welcome members and guests and enjoy the good life once again. However, it is unlikely it will be that simple. Anyone who is not planning measures to re-open with a new way of operating will be left exposed to criticism and unnecessary risks.

Below are a few questions to prompt clubs to get prepared. Clubs must be able to demonstrate that measures are in place to allow re-opening safely before their members and guests will feel secure and come flooding back.

These suggestions are intended as a guide only and to prompt club discussion. As health authority measures and guidelines for clubs come to light, we will be sure to share them as soon as possible.

Hygiene

1. Have you provided education or information on COVID-19 hygiene protocols and practices to staff, volunteers, members, and participants?
2. Have you provided clear guidance on COVID-19 hygiene protocols and practices to customers?
3. Do you have adequate supplies of cleaning and sanitiser products?
4. Can your staff, volunteers, members, participants, and customers wash or sanitise their hands regularly?
5. Have you identified high touch surfaces (for example door handles, service counters) and increased your regular cleaning schedule?
6. Do you have adequate waste management facilities including rubbish bins?
7. Can you list the measures you will use to manage hygiene and how will you promote these?
8. How will people within the club environment be consistently reminded about the protocols in place? Is there suitable signage for example.

Staff & Volunteers

1. Have you directed staff and volunteers not to attend work if experiencing even the slightest known symptoms- tickle in throat, runny nose, lethargy, minor cough?
2. Have you advised staff and volunteers to seek medical advice if they have any symptoms of COVID-19?

Communication

1. Do you have protocols to advise members, participants, officials and parents/carers not to attend if they are feeling unwell?
2. Have staff and volunteers been given direction on how to appropriately intervene when returning members and participants are not meeting Covid-19 protocols?
3. Do you have protocols for notifying health authorities of issues or suspected COVID-19 cases?
4. Which of the following will you use to communicate with volunteers, members, participants, parents, and carers?
   1. Social media?
   2. Newsletters or emails?
   3. Signage at venues and facilities?

Movement

1. Have you established separate entry and exit points, including handwashing and sanitising stations?
2. Can you provide separate areas for briefings, rigging, launching, and loading activities?
3. Have you adjusted activity timings to allow participants or members to arrive and depart separately?
4. Can you list the measures you will use to ensure physical distancing of people and how will you promote these?

Equipment

1. Are participants encouraged to bring their own water bottles and not rely on the facilities provided by your organisation?
2. Have you established protocols for sanitising shared equipment?
3. Have you established protocols for laundering life jackets or other shared uniform items?
4. Do you have protocols in place for sports medical staff?
5. Have you increased regular cleaning schedules of common use areas (for example sanitising tables, chairs)?

Activities

1. Are changes required to participant behaviour during activities (for example no shaking hands, high fives, team huddles)?
2. Have training/playing conditions or activity rules been modified to support physical distancing?
3. Have training/playing conditions or activities been modified to support participants with a disability?
4. Can you list any measures and other considerations being made to manage participation and race operation and how will you promote these?

Workplace

1. Have you provided education on physical distancing to staff and volunteers?
2. Have you provided clear guidance on physical distancing to customers?
3. Can physical distancing be managed in staff and common areas?
4. Have you considered the use of technology to assist with physical distancing where possible (for example ordering online)?
5. Will physical distancing be managed as part of any delivery service?
6. Will physical distancing be managed when delivering or picking up goods or handling deliveries?
7. Can you list the measures you will use to manage physical distancing and how will you promote these?