A COVID-19 UPDATE FOR NSW NORTHUMBERLAND

Dear NSW Northumberland Tennis Community,

Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook Update

Today, the NSW government announced a tightening of restrictions for the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Cessnock, Dungog, Singleton and Muswellbrook local government areas.

Under the current Public Health Order, undertaking exercise and outdoor recreation activities remains a reasonable excuse to leave your home. From Thursday 5 August - midnight Thursday 12 August:

• Outdoor public gatherings (including exercise) will be limited to two people (excluding members of the same household);
• Indoor recreation facilities such as indoor tennis centres must close.

NSW Health advice is that no formal competitions or training sessions are to take place and no community sport (whether training or a match) in these LGAs should proceed.

Therefore the recommendation from Tennis NSW in regards to community participation is as follows:

• Singles play is permitted at outdoor venues;
• Private coaching is permitted (this is subject to two people gathering plus a coach). Coaching is permitted as a reasonable excuse to leave home for the purposes of work;
• Coaches should not be entering schools for the purpose of coaching/tennis programs;
• Any tennis school gala days planned should be postponed.

We encourage our members in these LGAs to consider the strong advice from the NSW Government to stay home wherever possible. 

We also ask our members to refer to the current Public Health Orders and look to carry out strict COVID protocols at your venues including but not limited to ensuring all players check-in via the Services NSW QR code, masks are worn as required and observing social distancing. We remind our members that the current NSW Public Health Order requires that masks must be worn indoors and all indoor space must observe the 1 person per 4 square metre rule.

Please remember that the final assessment of whether a tennis club or venue can operate safely within the current Government guidelines does not rest with Tennis NSW and is the responsibility of the Club, Association and/or Operator. We can only provide a set of recommendations and guidelines to operate within based on the most recent advice from our Federal or Statement Governments.

Please click here to read our COVID-19 FAQs.

Thank you for your cooperation and stay safe. 

Tennis NSW