Sunshine Coast Covid-19 exercise rules revealed: authorities

Health authorities have reminded Sunshine Coast residents that going to the beach for socialising is not a form of exercise. See the full list of rules.

Noosa residents at Main Beach on Sunday, August 1 while the southeast of the state was in lockdown. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Authorities have reminded Sunshine Coast residents of the can and can’t dos involving exercising during lockdown.

Despite the region being in a strict eight-day lockdown, Sunshine Coast police said there were still some people who were unsure about the regulations.

District Superintendent Craig Hawkins said most residents did the right thing but some were spotted flouting the rules.

Supt Hawkins said taking the kids to the beach and letting them run free was not a suitable form of exercise.

“People going down to the beach to socialise with friends under the premise of exercise will be asked to move on if it’s clearly not the case,” Supt Hawkins said.

“It must be legitimate exercise.”

Lockdown on Noosa's main beach as residents forced to mask up for exercise. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Supt Hawkins said people must carry masks on them at all times when they leave home and only exercise within 10km of their address.

“If you’re exercising out in an open environment where you have no requirement to social distance, say walking your dog, you don’t have to wear a mask, but you must carry one,” Supt Hawkins said.

As health authorities battled to contain an outbreak of the delta variant, chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young pleaded with residents to “just stay at home”.

“Strenuous exercise is where you are huffing and puffing and genuinely if you were to have a mask on, it would harm your health,” Dr Young said during Sunday’s press conference.

“Walking around, for the vast majority of people, is not strenuous exercise.

“Perhaps if you were in your 90s and you are struggling then that would probably be strenuous exercise but for most people my age, it’s not strenuous exercise.”

Empty beaches at Noosa’s main beach on Sunday. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The following information is available on Queensland Health’s website which outlines what exercise is acceptable.

Can I play golf/tennis?

All indoor and outdoor sports and exercise venues in a lockdown area are closed. This means sports such as netball, golf, tennis, lawn bowls and other sporting activities which involve use of indoor or outdoor facilities are not permitted, even if they are within 10km of your home. Similarly, no exercise or sports is permitted at commercial premises during lockdown, this includes group or individual personal training.

You may exercise outdoors (not recreational boating) within a 10km radius of your home and with no more than one person from outside your household if you are in a lockdown area.

How many people can gather in outdoor areas, like a park? Can I meet up with someone outside of my home?

If you are in a locked down area, you must stay home wherever possible and only leave your home for an essential reason. You are not permitted to have visitors to your home or surrounds at this time, unless it is to provide care to vulnerable persons. If you are meeting to exercise, you can meet with one person who is not from your household.

Can I go to the gym?

All indoor and outdoor sports and exercise venues in a lockdown area are closed. No exercise or sports is permitted at commercial premises during lockdown. Gyms will be closed if they are located in a lockdown area.

Do I have to wear a mask when exercising?

If you are in or have been in a locked down area you must wear a face mask when exercising indoors and outdoors unless one of the exceptions from wearing a mask applies, for example you have a medical condition. You may remove your mask if you are out of breath or puffing.

You do not have to wear a mask if you are doing strenuous aerobic exercise such as high-intensity interval training, cycling or running.

Do I have to wear a mask when I do an aerobic workout?

You do not have to wear a mask if you are doing strenuous aerobic exercise such as high-intensity interval training, cycling, or running.

You may remove your mask when exercising indoors if it is making it difficult to breathe.

Do I need to carry a mask with me when I exercise outdoors?

If you are in or have been in a locked down must wear a face mask at all times, including when you exercise outdoors.

You do not have to wear a mask if you are doing strenuous aerobic exercise such as high-intensity interval training, cycling or running. You do not have to wear a mask while swimming.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Covid-19 exercise rules revealed: authorities