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Coronavirus (COVID 19) Update 24 March 2020
Published Mon 09 Mar 2020
Latest update 24 March 2020
The latest media statement release has now indicated the following restrictions as of 11:59pm local time Wednesday 25 March 2020;
- Community and recreation centres
- Health clubs, fitness centres, yoga, barre and spin facilities, saunas, bathhouses and wellness centres
- Social sporting-based activities
- Swimming pools
- Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, caravan parks, and boarding houses will be a decision for each state and territory (excluding perminent resinents and workers)
- Local government non-essential facilities and services (such as libraries and pools)
Update 22 March 2020
The latest media release from the Prime Minister and the Emergency National Cabinet Meeting stated the following;
Places of social gathering
National Cabinet agreed to move to more widespread restrictions on social gatherings.
Premiers and Chief Ministers agreed to implement, through state and territory laws, new Stage 1 restrictions on social gatherings, to be reviewed on a monthly basis.
Australians should expect these measures to be in place for at least 6 months.
The following facilities will be restricted from opening from midday local time 23 March 2020:
- Pubs, registered and licenced clubs (excluding bottle shops attached to these venues), hotels (excluding accommodation)
- Gyms and indoor sporting venues
- Cinemas, entertainment venues, casinos, and night clubs
- Restaurants and cafes will be restricted to takeaway and/or home delivery
- Religious gatherings, places of worship or funerals (in enclosed spaces and other than very small groups and where the 1 person per 4 square metre rule applies).
Isolated remote community hubs are not included in these restrictions.
Other facilities are not impacted, but will be considered under stage 2 restrictions, if necessary.
These measures also apply to outdoor spaces associated with the above venues. (LIWA is seeking clarification if this includes Outdoor only Swimming Pools)
18 March 2020
Reference http://bit.ly/2vuOiXX
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) has recommended limits on organised gatherings. These include limiting non-essential:
- internal gatherings to fewer than 100 people
- outdoor gatherings to fewer than 500 people
- meetings or conferences for critical workforce members, such as healthcare professionals and emergency services
Indoor gatherings
An indoor gathering takes place within a single enclosed area (i.e. a single room or area). Essential activities such as health care settings, pharmacies, food shopping, schools, workplaces and public transport are not included in this restriction. However, social distancing and good hygiene practices should be applied in these settings.
All non-essential indoor gatherings of less than 100 people (including staff) such as cinemas, theatres, restaurants/cafes, pubs, clubs, weddings and funerals should apply social distancing and hygiene practices. This includes:
- being able to maintain a distance of 1.5 metres between people
- providing hand hygiene products and suitable rubbish bins, with frequent cleaning and waste disposal
This might mean changes are needed to seating or capacity. For example, cinemas and theatres will need to decrease density of patrons, which could include alternate seating, staggered seating and alternatives, except for family or household groups who may be seated together.
Gyms, indoor fitness centres and swimming pools do not need to close at this time — as long as they follow social distancing advice and have good cleaning routines in place.
Update - 16 March 2020
The latest information from the Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) advises....
Firstly, the chlorination of your pools is essential in inactivating all viruses. As you would routinely do, continue to review your chlorination levels bearing in mind the factors that can affect chlorine levels (ambient temperature, numbers of swimmers etc).
In the context of mass gatherings (over 500 people) and overcrowding, this must be avoided.
Increasing your cleaning and disinfection of public areas, bathrooms, cafes would also be an important strategy in reducing environmental burden. Including regular stocking of hand soaps and paper towel dispensers.
Public messaging regarding not coming to the pool when you are sick, personal hygiene practices are important to promote.
The commonwealth DOH has resources regarding simple steps to stop the spread https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-campaign-resources
13 March 2020
Further information has come through relating to Coronavirus and Pools "There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs." https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/php/water.html
9th March 2020
LIWA Aquatics has contacted the WA Health, Public Health Emergency Operations Centre (PHEOC) for their advice.
PHEOC have advised that there are no specific resources relating specifically to aquatic facilities. The advice they have sought reflects back to standard infection control and hygiene practices that are a normal part of facility best practice.
Therefore, it is advised that aquatic facilities continue to be maintained and operated in accordance with the requirements of theHealth (Aquatic Facilities) Regulations 2007, Code of Practice for the Design, Construction, Operation, Management and Maintenance of Aquatic Facilities.
General advice on Coronavirus is available at:
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