You will be aware that Queensland has recorded new cases of COVID-19 this week linked to interstate travel and community transmission, and that contact tracing and testing are well underway.

It is a reminder to all of us of the importance of taking personal responsibility for following Queensland Health directives and following COVID Safe guidelines for practising good hygiene and physical distancing to keep each other safe.

Please remember, if you feel unwell do not come to any fencing club or squad session and seek medical advice.

Individuals who meet any of the following conditions are not permitted to access training sessions or any fencing venues:

• Has a current diagnosis of COVID19 or has been in direct contact with a known case of COVID-19 in the previous 14 days.
• Any symptoms consistent with COVID19 or who is a high health risk (e.g. due to age or pre-existing health conditions).
• Travelled internationally in the previous 14 days or to an interstate area of Australia with a known active cluster or declared COVID Hotspot in the previous 14 days (https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health  alerts/coronaviruscovid-19/current-status/hotspots-covid-19)
• Any individual subject to measures under the or isolation measures under the Biosecurity ACT 2015

Individuals in vulnerable groups are required to seek medical advice prior to returning to the training environment. These include:

• Athletes/other personnel with concurrent medical conditions including; respiratory or cardiac disease, hypertension, diabetes^, obesity and immunosuppression due to disease or medication,
• Athletes/other personnel who have been infected with COVID-19 and recovered
• Individuals over 70 years of age, and those 65 years and older with chronic medical conditions,
• carers for or a household contact of a vulnerable person,
• athletes with suboptimal access to medical care (e.g. remote) and
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 50 years and older with a chronic medical condition

We continue to work with government, health, and sports governance authorities to ensure we have appropriate controls in place to protect our coaches, athletes and volunteers.

You can find information about Queensland Health public health directives and contact tracing on the Queensland Government website.