Motorsport Australia is committed to the safe and socially responsible resumption of motorsport in a
COVID-19 environment.
The following details the requirements for officials to comply with Motorsport Australia’s strategy for the
resumption of motorsport activity under COVID-19 restrictions.
Officials Resources
Officials Responsibilities
All Officials
- Under no circumstances can anyone attend an event if any of the following apply:
- Have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 – eg. fever, respiratory issues, shortness of breath, sore throat, lack of sense of smell, fatigue
- Been overseas in the previous 14 days
- Been in contact with a known COVID-19 positive case in the previous 14 days
- Motorsport Australia strongly recommend the use of the Australian Government COVIDSafe app
- Avoid sharing equipment, tools or apparel. If sharing is unavoidable, the equipment must be cleaned prior to use by another person
- Avoid sharing food or using group catering services
- Maintain social distance measures as required by Government requirements
- Officials sign-on and briefings to be conducted using a means that respects social distancing and the maximum number of persons permitted in a group – eg. issue notes electronically prior to the event.
- Avoid unnecessary physical interaction between officials, competitors and other personnel. Wherever possible electronic or radio interaction should be used.
- Avoid the use of paper reports. An electronic system should be used where practicable.
- Avoid the use of indoor facilities where possible but if unavoidable ensure that the space is sufficient to respect social distancing and the maximum number of persons permitted.
- Comply with any request of the COVID-19 Event Checker
Officials in vehicles
- Maximum of two (2) persons per vehicle
- Utilise any PPE specified for the event
- When vehicle is not in operation, personnel to remain outside vehicle and maintain social distance
- Following attendance at an incident all equipment that has been used must be cleaned before re-use
Trackside officials
- Maximum of two (2) persons at each location – eg. flag post, control
- Maintain social distance at all times
- Pit lane officials to be a minimum of 10 metres apart
Medical
- Utilise any PPE specified for the event
- Motorsport Australia medical response protocol to be adhered to
Scrutineers
- Scrutiny of vehicles and apparel must be conducted in compliance with the Motorsport Australia COVID-19 Scrutiny of Vehicles and Apparel procedures.
Secretary of the Event
- No in-person document checks. Documents (Licences etc) to be checked electronically prior to the event
- Results to be communicated digitally – eg. posted online, emailed to competitors
- Register of all attendees at the event to be collated by the organiser and submitted to Motorsport Australia with post event documentation
Clerk of the Course
- Driver and Official briefing documents distributed electronically prior to an event must be acknowledged electronically by each Driver/Official.
Stewards
- Protest and Appeal documentation to be lodged electronically by competitors
- Fees and/or fines to be paid electronically
- Social distance and gathering limits must be respected at Stewards hearings. If this cannot be achieved, hearings must be by teleconference or video conference
- Summary of Stewards Hearing to be communicated digitally to interested parties
Things that will be different at an event during COVID-19 restrictions
- The number of officials at an event may be limited due to Government requirements
- Spectators may not be admitted
- Focus on good hygiene to minimise the risk of spreading infection
- Social distancing to minimise the risk of spreading infection
- No mass gatherings including Officials briefings
- Alternatives for in-person officials’ briefings and sign-on
- Recommended downloading of the COVIDSafe app
- Attendance not permitted if COVID-19 symptoms are evident
- A COVID-19 Event Checker will be appointed to monitor that all requirements are being met
- The Stewards will not permit an event to commence until appropriately advised by the COVID-19 Event Checker
- The Stewards may instruct that an event be stopped if advised by the COVID-19 Event Checker that requirements are not being maintained
- No podium ceremonies
Event Organiser responsibilities
- Submit a COVID venue plan to Motorsport Australia in support of their event permit application
- Install signage to advise of COVID-19 requirements
- Provide barriers and/or markings that restrict the amount of people in a certain area
- Provide suitable facilities, products and equipment to ensure required hygiene practices can be maintained
- Clean equipment prior to use and during an event as required
- Clean common areas – eg. entrances, handles, buttons
- Provide separate medical facility/area for isolation of suspected COVID-19 cases
- Create register of all attendees at the event