Equestrian Queensland Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update - 14 May 2020

Equestrian Queensland (EQ) is committed to providing members with regular updates regarding the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.  Please refer to our dedicated COVID-19 page on our website for all recent updates, information and useful resources.

On Friday 7 May 2020, the Queensland Government released its Roadmap to Easing Restrictions and as part of Stage 1 commencing at 11.59pm on 15 May 2020, gatherings of up to 10 people for outdoor, non contact activities are permitted whilst complying with physical distancing and hygiene requirements.

On Tuesday 12 May 2020, EQ met with government officials about the Roadmap and the key messages from government were;

• Stage 1 DOES NOT support the return of community sport or club organised activities
   
• Stage 1 SUPPORTS small group gatherings of up to 10 people for outdoor, non contact activities
   
• Stage 1 SUPPPORTS travel for recreation purposes of up to 150km for day trips (or 500km in the outback*)
   
• Stage 2 SUPPORTS outdoor community sport and coordinated activity in groups of up to 20 people from 12 June 2020.

This advice is particularly important for clubs who are currently considering or planning training days or clinics.

We therefore advise that ;

• the current government restrictions do not support a return to community sport and club organised events or activities until 12 June 2020.
• small informal group activities are allowed with a maximum of 10 people at any one time whilst complying with physical distancing and hygiene requirements.
• coaches can continue to deliver lessons and that as of 11.59pm on 15 May 2020, coaches may deliver small group lessons while complying with government requirements, physical distancing and hygiene requirements.
• clubs may continue to make their grounds available to members for small group activities but must ensure that no more than 10 people are on site at any one time whist complying with physical distancing and hygiene requirements.

It is critically important that members follow the direction and advice from the Queensland Government and that venues and event organisers and have a Biosecurity Plan in place.

To support our clubs and event organisers when activities and events can resume, we have updated our Biosecurity Page to include the following;

• EQ Biosecurity Plan Template
• COVID-19 Event Protocol Checklist
• COVID-19 Signage
• Horse Health Declaration

We encourage all event organisers to start reviewing their Biosecurity Plan and make use of the EQ Biosecurity resources. 

EQ has also submitted a formal proposal to the Queensland Government for equestrian and horse sports to be considered for an exemption in regards to the current and future restrictions under the QLD Government Roadmap given that horse sports are non contact and have best practice biosecurity processes already in place as part of our core activities. We are currently awaiting feedback from government and we will provide any new information as it becomes available.  

We thank you for your continued support during this challenging period and we encourage members to contact the EQ office if we can be of any assistance with advice or support.