The Easter break is traditionally a time many of us get together with loved ones and spend time enjoying the many outdoor activities Australia has to offer at this time of year.

This of course includes many families making a holiday tradition of spending a day racing their dinghies or cruising your local waterway and dropping anchor at your favourite spot for lunch.

This Easter is unfortunately no traditional Easter. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Australians are being required by Government at all levels to stay home and stay safe to prevent the spread of the virus.

There remains varying State Government guidance regarding whether sailing is considered a reasonable reason to leave home. In some states, sailing is considered an essential form of exercise, so we encourage sailors to check their local guidelines which are outlined in the links below to help inform that decision if required.

Whilst the decision on whether or not to go sailing in the jurisdictions where it is permitted will ultimately fall to the individual, we do remind you that it should only be done if absolutely necessary and to abide by good social distancing practices when you do. Please also consider that there are expected to be police and maritime agency patrols this weekend enforcing the regulations.

It will be a long road to recovery but sailing as we know it will return and will play an important role in the recovery of our sailing community. There will be a time when it is again safe to enjoy a day on the water with friends new and old, but for now we wish you a happy and safe Easter wherever you may be.

We continue to work with state maritime agencies to ensure that sailing is positioned to receive the best advice and to be appropriately considered when the time comes to change the regulations.

Latest maritime updates:

Australian Capital Territory

• ACT Government

New South Wales

• NSW Government
• NSW Roads and Maritime COVID-19 update

Queensland

• Queensland Government
• Maritime Safety Queensland
• For the latest Maritime Safety Queensland statements please click here
   

South Australia

• South Australian Government
   

Tasmania

• Tasmanian Government
• Maritime and Safety Tasmania
   

Victoria

• Victorian Government
• Maritime Safety Victoria
   

Western Australia

• WA Government
• WA Department of Transport
• WA Department of Transport COVID-19 FAQs
   

Northern Territory

• Northern Territory Government