Swimming Australia has devised a list of FAQs for those attending its events on the Gold Coast in April. If your question is not answered here, please email events@swimming.org.au and we will endeavour to respond as soon as possible.
Can people who have been in Greater Brisbane since March 20 still attend?
Yes, as per the Queensland Government announcement on 1 April, Brisbane is no longer a hotspot and as such, are able to attend. There are still restrictions in place for all of Queensland, and these will apply to the meet.
Will security be in place to remove attendees doing the wrong thing?
This meet is limited to ticketed/accredited attendees only and anyone without accreditation or tickets will not be allowed entry. In line with the COVID-Safe Plan, all attendees must ensure they are abiding by the Queensland Health guidelines at any given time, including not attending when unwell or experiencing symptoms.
How will you ensure people who are unwell or have been to a high-risk venue don’t attend?
In line with the COVID-Safe Plan, all attendees must ensure they are abiding by the Queensland Health guidelines at any given time, including not attending when unwell or experiencing symptoms. Delivery of COVID-Safe events require all attendees to play their part in adhering to the measures in place.
If I have been to a high-risk venue, can I still attend?
There are still a number of locations identified by the Queensland Government with the directive that anyone who has been to these locations, to quarantine for 14 days. This still applies. Find the complete list here.
If I have a runny nose, can I attend?
In line with the COVID-Safe Plan, anyone who is currently experiencing symptoms must stay at home and get tested.
Is it going to be live streamed?
Yes, it will be live co-streamed live on Amazon Prime Video or available to purchase on SwimTV.
Will there be limitations on where people can congregate and move around at the venue?
The COVID-Safe Plan will outline the entry and exit locations as well as the areas for active participants and spectators. This will be communicated to all attendees prior to the meet.
What cleaning protocols will be in place to ensure safety to the extent possible?
In accordance with the COVID-Safe Plan, cleaning will be done on a regular basis, including high-touch points hourly. There will also be sanitisation stations available throughout the venue.
If I choose not to attend because I have assessed the risk is too high, can I get a refund and if so, how do I do this?
Yes, you can obtain a refund if you no longer wish to attend the event. If you entered via Swim Central you can initiate the refund from your purchase order via Profiles > Order History and request the Australian Age Swimming Championships events. Once the request has been registered, Swimming Australia will then approve the refund. WA swimmers need to contact My Swim Results.
Please note: Athletes still need to advise Swimming Australia’s Entries, Records and Results Specialists, Liz Avery (liz.avery@swimming.org.au), if they will not be attending.
What food and drink outlets will be available and what restrictions apply to this?
All vendors will be operating under a COVID-Safe Plan and we ask all attendees to practice physical distancing when queueing.
Will the number of attendees be reduced?
All nominated athletes and accredited officials/staff are able to attend, as well as ticketed spectators.
Will spectator numbers be reduced?
All ticketed spectators are able to attend. Masks must be worn at all times, other than when seated in your ticketed seat.
If I travel from my state and Queensland’s situation changes, is there a risk of the meet being cancelled?
As experienced over the last 12 months, COVID is a rapidly evolving situation and there is no way to predict the future. We will continue to be guided by the rules and restrictions in place at any given time.
With WA swimmers unable to attend, if they swim a faster time at their event, will this be recognised as part of the Australian Championships?
It is unfortunate that WA swimmers are unable to attend due to their state’s hard border with Queensland, but we have made the decision to proceed as planned with the Championships. We thank Swimming WA for holding an event for their athletes to give them a racing opportunity and those swimmers that record a time that would have seen make the podium at the Gold Coast event will be awarded a medal in that event.
Is it still considered an Australian Championships even though some States won’t or can’t attend?
Yes, the decision has been made to have it remain an Australian Championships for all those who are able to attend.
Do athletes and coaches have to wear a mask on pool deck even if it is the field of play?
All attendees will be required to wear a mask when not warming up or racing.
How do I access the venue?
The venue map will outline all entry/exit locations as well as areas in use by active participants and spectators. This will be communicated to all attendees prior to the meet.
Will there be separate entry/exit points?
The venue map will outline all entry/exit locations as well as areas in use by active participants and spectators. This will be communicated to all attendees prior to the meet.
Can I stay at the meet all day even if I’m not racing that session?
We ask all active participant to attended only when it is necessary for your races.
Will spectators be separated from swimmers?
Yes.
What happens if I attend but part way through the meet my state change the rules and I cannot get home?
All attendees will have to comply with the direction given by their home state at any given time.
Do spectators have to wear masks?
Yes, at all times other than when seated in the ticketed seat.
Brisbane was a hotspot; doesn’t that mean anyone who has been there in the last 14 days cannot attend?
Government advice is, if an area is removed from the list of hotspots, a person may move around as soon as it is no longer listed, even if the person had been in the hotspot in the 14 days prior.
