SENIOR sports on the South Coast can resume from July 1, following an announcement by the NSW state government on Wednesday morning.
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The announcement means adult sport will kick-off at the same date as its junior counterparts, as COVlD-19 restrictions ease - one day after Australia recorded new locally-transmitted cases of coronavirus in a 24-hour span for the first time since March.
Acting minister for sport Geoff Lee thanked the community for their patience during the
pause on local sports and welcomed its return on July 1.
"Sport is the lifeblood of our community and it gives me great pleasure to say adult sports
can return to their competitions at the same time as 18 years and under," Lee said.
"We have reduced the spread of COVlD-19 to the point where further restrictions can be
lifted.
"It is only because communities have followed the strict social distancing guidelines
that this announcement is possible."
Food and drink premises in stadiums can open subject to the same requirements that
apply in other food and drink premises and pubs and registered clubs.
Minister for health Brad Hazzard said, on the basis of health advice, crowds could not at
this point gather in the stands.
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"Wednesday's announcement is about a staged reopening of the sports economy in a way
that minimises the risk to the public," Hazzard said.
"This makes a level playing field for sports stadiums,
in line with the clubs and pubs re-opening to patrons.
"With no vaccine and no treatment for COVlD-19 there is an obligation on all of us to
continue to maintain physical distancing and good hand hygiene - the virus has not gone
away."
Stadium operators will be required to:
- Develop and comply with a COVID-19 safety management plan.
- Operate with restricted numbers (one person per four square metres and up to 50
people in each of the existing seated food and drinks areas, whichever is the
lesser excluding staff members, on the premises).
- Keep contact details of persons entering the premises.