All community groups using Council facilities, are required to develop and implement a COVID-19 Safety Plan. This guide includes a Safety Plan template for you to use and should be completed prior to starting any community activities and be available to volunteers and members during activities.

The COVID-19 Safety Plan sets out six essential focus areas to help your community group safely restart activities as COVID-19 restrictions ease:

1. Keeping up-to-date
   This focus area will help your community group stay informed of government directives and official COVID-19 information as the situation evolves and changes.
2. Communicating to your members
   This focus area will help your members to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19 while attending your activities.
3. If someone is feeling unwell
   This focus area is about preventing unwell members and volunteers from potentially spreading COVID-19 to other members.
4. Personal hygiene and cleaning
   This focus area is about good personal hygiene practises and cleaning standards.
5. Changing activities and programs to be COVID-19 safe
   This focus area is about how you will control participation rates and ensure activities and programs are designed to support good social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
6. Compliance and review of your COVID-19 Safety Plan
   This focus area is about ensuring compliance and reviewing your plan to maintain ongoing safety against the transmission of COVID-19.

All community groups are encouraged to stay informed by visiting the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) website for advice on current restrictions, how to stay safe and the latest updates.

Remember, you don’t need to rush — it is best to develop your plan at a pace that supports the safety and needs of your group.

Download a copy of the guide and COVID-19 Safety Plan template below.