·Under the new close contact rules, close contacts with no symptoms (asymptomatic) are not required to isolate but must undertake a daily RAT and obtain a negative result.
·They must wear a mask when leaving the house.
·The usual exemptions apply for mask wearing which includes when doing vigorous exercise. Therefore, they can attend training/games and not wear a mask whilst participating in vigorous exercise.
For further information on close contacts, please follow the relevant State Government Guidelines
COVID General Advice
RugbyWA and Rugby Australia will be following State Government guidelines relating to COVID-19. Clubs and participants are responsible for complying with Government guidelines and staying up to date with changing guidelines. Guidelines can be found at:
https://www.wa.gov.au/government/covid-19-coronavirus
The following information has been provided by SportsWest: Generally speaking, community sport is excluded from Proof of Vaccination requirements however, sport will need to comply with the requirements in the certain circumstances.
Liquor Licenses
If a club operates a bar under any form of liquor license - Proof of Vaccination is required.
However, if changerooms and/or toilets fall under a liquor license, patrons may enter those rooms for those specific purposes i.e. getting change for community sport.
Food
If a club operates a café/canteen - Proof of Vaccination is required.
Takeaway does not require Proof of Vaccination however, the patron must take the food and/or beverage out of the venue.
Masks are still required when indoor using facilities.
Currently no spectators are allowed other than parent /guardians.
Close Contacts
The State Government definition of a close contact is:
- You are a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 and have had contact with them during their infectious period;
- You have had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period.
- You have been advised by WA Health that you are a close contact.
This includes if you have:
- had at least 15 minutes face-to-face contact where a mask was not worn by both you and the person with COVID-19;
- greater than two hours within a small room or classroom environment with a case during their infectious period, where masks have been removed for this period;
Based on these definitions it is highly unlikely that there would be a close contact within a sporting game or event as the relevant thresholds would not be met. Unless it is a sport, played in a small room for longer than 2 hours as an example.
It is more likely that close contacts would come into play in settings off the sporting arena – for example; change rooms or eating with teammates following a game etc. Clubs will need to decide on how they will mitigate against close contacts or spreading off field.
What do clubs need to do if they have a COVID positive case
Training – Clubs should notify all participants that there has been a COVID positive case from a member and that all participants should monitor for symptoms and perform a RAT test if possible. Participants are not required to self-isolate unless they are deemed a close contact. It is recommended that clubs consider training formats and policies to reduce the possibility of close contacts. Reducing instances of 15 minutes face-to-face contact will be key here.
Any participants that are deemed as a close contact to the COVID positive case will need to be informed so they can self-isolate, get tested and follow guidelines from: HealthyWA, Western Australian Department of Health or call 13COVID (13 26843)
Game or event – Clubs will need to inform their stakeholders as well as let RugbyWA know so that all registered participants can be emailed and informed of a positive case. Clubs will need to inform RugbyWA if there are any potential close contact situations.
The following resources are useful for managing COVID cases and providing information to stakeholders:
https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2022-03/Managing-COVID-19-booklet.pdf
A deep clean of the venue is recommended after a COVID positive event, Guidelines on cleaning can be found on pages 14-16 of the small business link provided above.
COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need proof of vaccination to participate in community rugby?
A: No proof of vaccination is required to participate in outdoor community sport. Proof of Vaccination only applies to entering licenced venues and or café/ canteens.
Q: What constitutes a close contact for outdoor contact sport? Are players who have physically touched e.g., in a Scrum close contacts? Is there a difference between games and training?
A: Based on Government definitions a close contact is defined as:
You are a household member or intimate partner of a person with COVID-19 and have had contact with them during their infectious period;
- You have been advised by WA Health that you are a close contact.
- You have had close personal interaction with a person with COVID-19 during their infectious period.
- This includes if you have:
- had at least 15 minutes face-to-face contact where a mask was not worn by both you and the person with COVID-19;
- greater than two hours within a small room or classroom environment with a case during their infectious period, where masks have been removed for this period;
Based on these definitions it is highly unlikely that there would be a close contact within a sporting game or event as the relevant thresholds would not be met.
Training scenarios where 15 minutes or more of face-to-face contact without a mask would constitute a close contact.
Masks should be worn in changerooms and social distancing practised outside to avoid more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact.
Simply being at the same venue, training or playing with a COVID positive case does not make you a close contact unless the relevant thresholds have been met.
Q: Does a teammate at training who becomes COVID positive constitute a close contact for the whole team or club?
A: No, only people who have been in face-to-face contact without a mask for over 15 minutes would constitute a close contact. Or in a small room for over 2 hours where masks have been removed.
Q: Does an opposition player becoming COVID positive constitute a close contact?
A: No, playing against someone who has become COVID positive does not constitute a close contact unless face-to-face contact without a mask for 15minutes has occurred.
Q: Does a teammate becoming COVID positive constitute a close contact?
A: Only if thresholds have been met. Being on the same field does not constitute a close contact.
Q: Does a referee or match official become a close contact if a player in their game become COVID positive?
A: No, more than 15 minutes of face-to-face contact would need to occur and is unlikely in a game environment. Post-match functions/ discussions should promote mask wearing and social distancing to avoid becoming a close contact.
Q: Do referee/ match officials need to wear masks while refereeing?
A: No, not while running and exercising as part of their role of officiating. Wearing masks or maintaining social distancing during pre- and post-game as well as half time discussions will help to prevent becoming a close contact should someone become COVID positive.
Q: Should coaches wear a mask when addressing a group (team huddle)?
A: Coaches are not mandated to do this under government guidelines however common sense would suggest that when relevant, wearing a mask would help prevent potential spread and close contact scenarios.
Q: Do players who train and play together need to wear masks or social distance on sidelines despite training and playing together?
A: Yes, teammates should wear masks and practice social distancing to avoid going over 15-minute thresholds. This includes players sitting on the substitute bench – sitting closely next to a teammate for over 15 minutes would constitute a close contact should they become COVID positive.
Q: Does using an indoor changeroom after playing together constitute being a close contact?
A: Masks should be worn in changerooms. Participants would need to be in the room for over 2 hours with masks removed periodically to constitute a close contact.
Q: Is there a point when clubs should shut down for an isolation period? Eg 5 players have become COVID positive. If club should shut down training and games, for how long?
A: According to government mandates, no. Only players who are deemed as a close contacts are required to self-isolate, the rest of the club are free to continue participating. Clubs may choose to shut down training sessions to try to avoid spread if they are experiencing high numbers of COVID positive cases.
Q: Is a deep clean required after a positive COVID case?
A: Cleaning after a positive COVID case is recommended to reduce potential further spread. Guidelines on cleaning can be found on pages 14-16 of the following document https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/managing-covid-19-in-your-workplace-guide.pdf
Q: Does a club need to forfeit a fixture if have had players who have become COVID positive in the week prior?
A: Only players who have been a close contact or show symptoms need to self-isolate. The rest of the team is able to play as normal.
Q: If a club host an event and finds out afterwards that participants have presented as COVID positive, what actions does the club need to take? Who needs to be notified?
A: The Club needs to notify participants and RugbyWA so notice can be given to registered participants if they may be a close contact and that they should monitor for symptoms.
Q: If a parent spectator becomes COVID positive are other spectators a close contact?
A: Only if people have been in fact-to-face contact without masks or in a small room for over 2 hours where masks have been removed. Social distancing and mask wearing should be promoted by spectators to reduce risks of becoming a close contact.
Q: Do spectators need to wear masks?
A: Masks should be worn if not able to maintain social distancing 1.5m guidelines.
Q: Are there restrictions on how many people are allowed at a rugby game?
A: There currently no maximum numbers for organised and scheduled sporting activity. Special events or tournaments will need to check Local and State government guidelines to host an event. However currently only Parents/ Guardians along with immediate family (e.g siblings that need parent supervision) are allowed as spectators for rugby games.
Q: Where can I go for specific COVID-19 questions?
A: Call 13COVID (1326873) or visit the Health WA website: https://ww2.health.wa.gov.au/
