Hi all,
Just prior to this latest outbreak here in Sydney, BMAstro was considering relaxing its Covid restrictions in line with the relaxing of measures by the NSW Government.
However, this new outbreak has had us rethink our entire Covid-19 policy, namely that chopping and changing rules only leads to more confusion and uncertainty.
So we have decided to work on a simple premise: either have one set of rules, or no restrictions at all.
The following is the set of rules we have adopted by our Club. These have been developed in consultation with many of our members who bring with them their many professional fields of experience.
~x.X.x~
COVID-19 Response & Rules - Blue Mountains Astronomical Club, Inc.
The following COVID-19 rules have been developed over the last few months, and it has been decided that it is in the best interest of all members that we work with just one set of rules, and that these rules now strike the best balance for participation and member safety. There will not be further relaxation to these rules as this most recent COVID-19 outbreak and its spread has demonstrated the need to protect all of our members; not just those members who are most at risk, but the families of all members even if their families do not attend the Airfield.
Apart from the weather being the dictator of whether an individual session takes place, we are also monitoring government notifications and how they will be changing restrictions in the New Year, and we will also be using their statistics on infection rates as to whether we proceed with our sessions or need to cancel them. We may cancel session dates independent of Government restrictions.
With the ever changing situation of infections in NSW, in order to streamline our operations, minimise risk and reduce confusion, we will operate under the simple premise: either under one set of restrictions; or, none at all.
1. NO outreach events will be conducted for the time being.
2. Sessions at Katoomba Airfield are now MEMBERS ONLY. NO guests will be allowed unless it is the immediate family of a member.
It will be each member’s responsibility to keep tight control on the movement of their family attendees so they do not mingle with other members or their respective families. Family groups MUST be totally contained to themselves.
3. At least 1.5m Social Distancing is mandatory. Members who refuse to follow this may be asked to leave.
4. ALL telescopes need to be set up NO LESS than 3m from each other – this is because as one moves around one’s scope at night, this movement can see you come within 1.5m of a fellow BMAstro member if telescopes are set up at 1.5m apart.
5. NO SHARING OF TELESCOPES OR ACCESSORIES with the ONLY EXCEPTION being if it is within a family group. You will only be permitted to use your own telescope and equipment. This is because eyepieces and telescope surfaces cannot be adequately disinfected to meet required health guidelines. A wipe with a “disinfecting wipe” IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH, and many chemicals suitable for appropriate disinfection cannot be used on optical equipment, such as rubber eyecups.
6. If you hope to use the equipment of other members, please consider not attending. Unless you have some way of keeping yourself occupied with a telescope, binoculars or photo equipment, there will be no equipment made available for you, not even the Club telescopes we have for loan.
7. Everyone will need to be signed in for the purposes of facilitating contact tracing.
8. We may cancel session dates independent of Government restrictions at the time if we feel the situation is just too unstable.
9. Use of masks is encouraged when you are away from your telescope.
We are taking the necessary precautions against COVID-19 very seriously. There are serious insurance consequences if we as a group do not observe and respect these precautions. Everyone is responsible for keeping everyone safe.
- BMAstro.