Good Evening Members
As you are aware the State Government requires all residents living in Metropolitan Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire to wear face coverings when leaving home for one of the four reasons to be away from your house. Exercise is one of those reasons and from the information we have read, face coverings or face masks will be mandatory when playing golf and attending the clubhouse / proshop from midnight on Wednesday 22nd July. Our staff will be wearing masks in all departments in an effort to keep you safe from any infection.
We have seen an increased presence of Police patrols in and around the Botanic Ridge area. Please follow the advice from the State Government and relevant authorities to keep us all safe. The Clubs staff have been asked to ensure members have a face covering on when at the club, please be respectful to the staff as we also have to comply with the new rules.
Exercise:
Wearing a face covering while exercising is hard, do I have to do it?
If you are doing strenuous exercise, such as jogging, running or cycling, you do not need to wear a face covering. You do have to carry a face covering with you so you can wear it before or after exercising.
You must wear a face covering when walking for exercise even if the 1.5 metre physical distancing is maintained unless you have a lawful excuse such as a medical condition, where it would be dangerous to have obstructed breathing while walking around. We interpret this to mean, you must wear a face mask when playing golf – Without a mask, you will not be able to play.
Lawful excuses or exceptions for not wearing a face covering:
A face covering is not required in the following circumstances:
- Infants and children under the age of 12 years.
- A person who is affected by a relevant medical condition – including problems with their breathing, a serious skin condition on the face, a disability or a mental health condition. This also includes persons who are communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
- Persons for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to that person’s health and safety related to their work, as determined through OH&S guidelines.
- Persons whose professions require clear enunciation or visibility of their mouth. This includes teaching or live broadcasting.Professional sportspeople when training or competing.
- When the individual is doing any exercise or physical activity where they are out of breath or puffing; examples include jogging or running but not walking. You must have a face covering on you and wear it when you finish exercising.
- When directed by police to remove the face covering to ascertain identity.
- The person is travelling in a vehicle by themselves or with other members of their household.
- When consuming food, drink, medication or when smoking/vaping.
- When undergoing dental treatment or other medical care to the extent that the procedure requires that no face covering may be worn.
- When entering or inside a financial institution, like a bank.
- During emergencies.
You must carry a face covering with you when leaving home for one of the four reasons, even if you don’t need to wear it while undertaking your current activity, for example you can take your face covering off to eat. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from wearing a face covering at all times you don’t need to carry it with you.
Click here for the full face coverings advice.
Hired Golf Carts:
Golf Australia has advised that Club hired motorised carts should only be used by a person who has a disability, is over the age of 65, or who can demonstrate that they require one due to having special needs. Members must supply a medical certificate and strictly one person per hired cart.
Thank you for your understanding around the issues we all face at this time.
We will keep you updated with any further developments as they occur over the next few days.
