Victorians gain access to boating, fishing under new COVID-19 restrictions
From Wednesday, boats and fishers will be back on the water in Victoria – if we can adhere to strict social distancing guidelinesVictoria’s boaters and fishers can head back out to the water from Wednesday as Australia’s harshest COVID-19 control measures are relaxed slightly to allow people to gather in small groups.
Asked specifically if Victorians would be allowed to go out on a tinnie once the three-week trial of slightly more relaxed social distancing guidelines was introduced from Wednesday, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said people could go out “as long as you practice social distancing”.
According to the government, fishing and boating are allowed under a more generous definition of "leaving the house for exercise" - one of the permitted activities under current restrictions.
The Boating Industry Association of Victoria said this, along with new guidelines that allow up to 10 people to gather outdoors, meant boating could return to the state’s waters after a six-week absence.
“Our understanding is that this extends to all forms of boating whether it be tow sport-related, sailing (small crews), fishing, cruising or just going to a marina-berthed vessel (however not for overnight stays and without clubhouses being opened),” BIAV chief executive Steve Walker said in a statement sent to all its members in the wake of this morning’s announcement.
“We would assume also that charter and tourism activities that can provide social distancing onboard, and keep groups under 10, should be good to resume.”
Boaters will still need to adhere to the 1.5-metre distancing rule for everyone other than people living in the same household.
Act sensibly
However, Walker cautioned boaters to act sensibly under the new more relaxed social gathering guidelines.
“BIAV encourages all members of the boating community to act sensibly, to follow the social distancing requirements, adopt heightened hygiene measures, and stay safe as you return to Victoria’s magnificent waterways,” he said.
The more relaxed restrictions, which expand to now include outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people and home visits by up to five friends or relatives, will be reviewed again in June.
“If you relax too many rules too quickly, you’ll find us all back here very quickly,” Andrews said at a press conference this morning announcing the changes.
Victorian Fishing and Boating Minister Jaala Pulford posted a message to her social media backing up the Premier's statements.
"For the avoidance of doubt, fishing and boating are allowed, so long as appropriate physical distancing is maintained," she wrote on Facebook.
However, a number of the state's boat ramps appear to be in need of maintenance, with debris and weed growth a problem.
The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services also updated its website to reflect the changes.
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