Labor says indoor gathering limits make no sense and must be reviewed

It has the capacity to hold thousands of players and spectators, but the Kingborough Sports Centre is allowed to host just 20 people at a time under current COVID-19 restrictions. Find out why the rule has left clubs high and dry >>

RULES allowing 40 people in restaurants but only 20 in large sporting venues are inconsistent and must be reviewed urgently, Labor says.

Opposition sports spokesman David O’Byrne said a last-minute change to COVID-19 restrictions announced on Friday had left sports clubs high and dry.

MORE PEOPLE ALLOWED AT THE PUB THAN PLACES OF WORSHIP

The big Kingborough Sports Centre, for example, can host an unlimited number of school students at any one time but, once the school bell has rung, the complex is limited to just 20 people.

Trampoline athletes Amber French, 16, and brother Matthew French, 20, of Tinderbox, have been unable to train due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Mr O’Byrne said that restriction was making it extremely difficult for community sports organisations, which were originally told facilities could be used by groups of 20 as long as they remained separate and observed social distancing.

“Despite many restrictions being lifted on Friday — including allowing 40 people in pubs and restaurants — large sporting facilities have been told they can only have 20 people at a time,” he said.

“The rule change is nonsensical — if the four-metre rule is good enough for restaurants, pubs and large retailers, then why is it not good enough for basketball courts, netball courts and gymnastic training facilities?” Mr O’Byrne said.

UTAS REVEALS THE COST OF COVID-19

He said the Kingborough Sports Centre had 13 distinct, separated areas over four levels, but it was allowed only 20 people inside.

“The rule, as it is being applied, will severely impact on many team sports and will make rostered competitions virtually impossible,” he said.

Basketball Tasmania CEO Chris McCoy said the decision would cripple the sport.

“Our sport has been proactive and professional in our plans and guidelines in working within the resumption of sport,” he said.

“These plans were approved by the government. This decision reverses all the good work that has been done.”

Sport Minister Jane Howlett, St Virgil's students Harrison McLeod, 13, and Joseph McGann, 14, with Basketball Tasmania CEO Chris McCoy. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Gymnastics Tasmania CEO Bradley Low said the rules were not appropriate for a highly supervised, non-contact sport.

Netball Tasmania CEO Aaron Pidgeon said the organisation would comply with public health directions, but would seek a review.

“The multi-court facilities used by Netball Tasmania are immense in size and have many separate areas for use,” he said.

“If this restriction is not revised, it stands to not only have a significant impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of our participants, but to have both an immediate and long-term impact on participation numbers for netball in Tasmania.”

THE FULL LIST OF STAGE TWO RESTRICTIONS

Minister for Sport and Recreation Jane Howlett said the regulations would be reviewed.

“Public Health and the Department of Communities, Sport and Recreation will consider how the current public health guideline can be safely applied in larger indoor sport facilities, to ensure that risk of COVID-19 transmission is minimised,” she said.

“However, the public health guideline is cautious in order to protect participants, given the higher risk posed by the recommencement of indoor sport.

“The health and safety of all Tasmanians must continue to remain our priority as a government.”