With the current COVID-19 pandemic, we would like to provide some important information to our members.

Recommendation is that we have made the temporary decision to shut down access to the club, bar and gym  effective immediately. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ENTERING CLUB FACILITIES.

Information is changing all the time and we will be updating this page with information as we receive it.

We are currently still patrolling our beaches and patrols will continue to go ahead until we have been notified otherwise. This may change if the Government restricts ‘small gatherings”.

However, the welfare of our members is paramount to us and we want to ensure that everyone stays safe during this uncertain time not only throughout our Branch but Nationwide.

If at any stage, you are feeling anxious or concerned about any aspect of COVID-19, please seek assistance from your medical practitioner or services such as Beyond Blue 1300 224636 or Lifeline 131114.

As we move through phases of this pandemic, we encourage you to stay up-to-date on advice which will change and we encourage you to always refer anyone back to https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx

Please Remember:

• Do not treat suspected persons with COVID-19 in the surf club or first aid room. This includes anyone exhibiting flu like symptoms/high temperature over 38 degrees.
• Anyone with flu like symptoms should be sent straight to a medical centre or hospital
• If assisting members of the public with first aid treatments, follow first aid procedures and ensure you have the correct PPE (personal protective equipment) including gloves and goggles and disinfect any surfaces as soon as possible

Some things to consider:

•  “close contact” is defined by NSW Health as having been face to face with an infected person for at least 15 minutes, or been in the same closed space for at least 2 hours at a time whilst they were infectious
• The average time to show symptoms after being exposed is 4 days but can be as long as 14 days in rare cases
• If someone is deemed a “close contact” they are required to self-isolate for 14 days, look out for signs and symptoms and then seek medical attention if they need it.
• Signs and symptoms include: fever, cough, shortness of breath whilst other symptoms to watch for are chills, body aches, sore throat, headache and runny nose, muscle pain or diarrhoea.
• GP’s will only order tests for someone who is deemed as a close contact or has recently returned from overseas – in both cases, NSW Health expects that such a person would already be in self-isolation
• If you become a confirmed case, NSW Health will undertaken contact tracing and inform Clubs of any actions they should take and any members they deem to be potentially affected and let them know what the next steps are.

Some General Things that can be done…

• Enforce the message to all members that if they aren’t feeling well, stay home and don’t come to the club or patrol.
• Likewise if they aren’t feeling well, tell them to go home
• Cough into a tissue, sneeze into your elbow
• Implement social distancing, which mostly means just staying 1.5 meters away from each other, stop shaking hands, hugging, kissing and touching
• Wash your hands regularly, especially after toileting and before eating

Clubs have Life and older members who are at risk from COVID-19. Special attention should be given to ensure these members are protected and the best way might be for them not to attend club gatherings and functions.

SLSNSW has developed guidance around COVIC-19 which has some very helpful information