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Do you know your gym, pool and sauna requirements?

The Queensland government has issued a comprehensive plan for the reopening of different recreation facilities.

Bodies Corporate are in the unique position of being responsible for a number of these facilities (gyms, pools and saunas) all of which have different COVID-19 checklists and management plans for their reopening.

These requirements regulated by QLD Health Restrictions on Businesses, Activities and Undertakings Direction (No. 5) are the responsibility of the body corporate to monitor and enforce.

Bodies Corporate as usual are continually required to maintain the safety of common property and fulfill their duty of care. Now with regulations around Covid Safety and expectations set by the QLD Government, the committee has a greater duty of care in following all facility re-opening requirements.

Pools

  • Complete relevant COVIDSafe Checklist/Plan
  • Publicly display COVID Safe Checklist
  • Advise maximum number of people allowed at one time
  • Record contact information for a minimum of 56 days of all users, in-line with government guidelines for record keeping
  • Install appropriate signage
  • Be responsible for monitoring patron behaviour
  • Ensure workers/ committee are aware of measures
  • Surfaces MUST be cleaned regularly (equipment, seating, railings, etc)
  • Cleaning products/methods must be able to inhibit the virus
  • Provide COVIDSafe Plan to authorities if requested
  • Keep up to date with changes

Note: Residential pools fall under the same management guidelines as commercial pool facilitiesGyms

Gyms:

  • Complete relevant CovidSafe Checklist/Plan
  • Publicly display checklist or statement of compliance
  • Clearly display maximum number of people allowed in the gym at one time
  • Record contact information for a minimum of 56 days (in accordance with guidelines)
  • Provide COVID approved cleaning agents for people to wipe down equipment after use
  • Provide hand sanitiser at all entrances with signage
  • Install signage to assist in maintaining appropriate behaviour
  • Be responsible for monitoring patron behaviour
  • Ensure workers/ committee are aware of measures
  • Surfaces must be cleaned regularly (equipment, benches, handles, etc)
  • Keep up to date with changes.
  • Spread out gym equipment to ensure 1.5m can be maintained when equipment is in use.
  • If gym equipment cannot be spread out, decommission certain equipment (e.g. every second treadmill/bike) to maintain 1.5m distancing
  • Provide COVIDSafe Plan to authorities if requested (keep onsite and scanned)

Note: Gyms within strata property and managed by the body corporate fall within the same category as commercial gyms and can be reopened adhering to these guidelines.

Saunas

  • Complete relevant CovidSafe Checklist/Plan
  • Publicly display attached checklist
  • Record contact information for a minimum of 56 days (in accordance with guidelines)
  • Install signage
  • Ensure workers/ committee are aware of measures
  • Keep up to date on changes
  • Provide checklist to authorities if requested (keep onsite and scanned)

You will note that Saunas fall under a different form of management under ‘personal services’ meaning the government has identified that these facilities pose an increased risk of transmission of COVID-19. They have increased cleaning requirements (between each use), collection of data and monitoring of hygiene during use. This is a likely reason why a body corporate may have decided not to re-open its facility yet.

It is ultimately at the discretion of the body corporate how they manage their risk in relation to COVID health directives, checklists and possible fines.

Ensuring cleanliness, social distancing and the appropriate contact tracing records is the responsibility of the Body Corporate if choosing to reopen these facilities.

As summer approaches committees will continue to receive more and more pressure to reopen facilities, particularly swimming pools. Educated committees will be better positioned to deal with questions from owners and residents as well as comply with regulations. Just because other schemes are not following regulations, does not justify your building and your committee not following QLD regulations. QPS are responsible for conducting spot inspections and issuing infringements.All guidelines are enforceable with fines. It is the Bodies Corporate responsibility to enforce and manage the list of measures on the COVIDSafe Plan

The COVID-plans and checklist requirements are available at:

Available Electronic Registers:

Note: It is advisable to keep a paper/ written sign in sheet for people unable to use the QR Code system