SEYMOUR ALTERNATIVE FARMING EXPO
COVID-SAFE FAQ’S
WHAT ARE THE EVENT DAYS/TIMES AND LOCATION?
Friday April 1st – Sunday April 3rd
0900-1600 Daily
Kings Park Recreation Reserve, Seymour VIC 3660
HAS THE SEYMOUR ALTERNATIVE FARMING EXPO BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (DHHS)?
Yes, this event has been registered and approved as a Tier 1 level event via https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/register-your-public-event, accompanied by a COVIDSafe Event Plan.
WHAT IS THE DAILY CAPACITY OF THE SEYMOUR ALTERNATIVE FARMING EXPO?
As per Tier 1 registration policy, there can be no more than 7,000 guests per day. This will be managed by our ticketing partner TICKETBOOTH. As the venue site size is 155,000m², we are compliant with the 2m² regulation for outdoor events in Victoria.
HOW MANY ENTRY/EXIT POINTS DOES THE VENUE HOLD FOR GUESTS?
There are three (3) access points for guests, with one-way traffic maintained wherever possible to avoid patrons clashing.
CAN A TICKET BE PURCHASED AT THE ENTRANCE GATE?
All entrance tickets to Seymour Alternative Farming Expo are to be purchased online prior to arrival, via https://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/seymour-alternative-farming-expo-2021.
If a patron has not purchased their entrance ticket prior to arrival, our ticketing partner TICKETBOOTH will have the ability to register each attendee’s name/details and accept payment via credit card or EFTPOS.
CAN A PERSON WHO DID NOT PURCHASE THE EVENT TICKET USE THIS TICKET TO ENTER?
Whilst we cannot control that the person who purchases the event ticket online is the person using the ticket to gain access, all patrons are scanned in at the event through a QR code prior to entering. This will ensure that we have the contact details of those who enter the event space.
HOW WILL CONTACT TRACING BE REGULATED?
Contact tracing details will be taken (Name, Email and Contact number) before entry into the event space (no contact details = no entry) via an online ticketing platform, along with a QR code system.
The event organiser will maintain contact tracing records for each event day. This information will be made available to DHHS as required should an outbreak related to COVID occur up to 28 days after the event.
WILL ALL GUESTS BE REQUIRED TO SCAN A QR CODE?
Yes, all guests will be asked to scan the event QR code before entering, and be required to answer all questions, which include:
- Have you returned from overseas within the past 14 days?
- Do you currently live in a Red Zone?
- Are you or anyone you currently living with suffering any COVID symptoms (fever, dry cough, tiredness)?
WHAT IF A GUEST IS UNABLE TO SCAN THE QR CODE?
In the event that a patron is unable to scan the QR code (i.e. older phone, no phone), we will have COVID Marshalls onsite who will have the ability to manually record the details of these guests.
WILL THE EVENT CONTAIN ANY FORM OF ZONING FOR PATRONS?
No, rather we have created unidirectional flow across the event site, with the minimum pathway being 6.6m.
ARE GUESTS REQUIRED TO WEAR MASKS?
No, as per current Government regulations, guests are not required to wear a mask, however are required to carry one on them.
Note that 1000 masks will be made available each day to any guest who is not in possession of one on arrival.
*Subject to change, pending DHHS regulations
WILL GUESTS BE REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN SOCIAL DISTANCING?
Yes, social distancing standards must be maintained and will be supported with clear lines identifying 1.5 metre clear zones in front of every patron where applicable.
Signage will be installed in car parks and across all indoor/outdoor event spaces to communicate to guests that 1.5m distance must be always kept where applicable.
Each exhibitor will be required to manage their event space and display signage demonstrating capacity, in line with the DHHS enforced 2m² regulation.
HOW WILL CROWDS BE MANAGED AROUND HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS SUCH AS BATHROOMS?
Socially distanced queues will be created around possible bottlenecks at toilet blocks to avoid people congregating in these areas. We will also base COVID Marshalls and dedicated cleaners in these areas throughout the event to manage crowds.
WILL HAND SANITISER BE MADE AVAILABLE FOR GUESTS?
Yes, hand sanitiser will be supplied via automated dispensers for all patrons to use on entry and throughout the entire event space. All vendors (Exhibitors) will be required to have hand sanitiser available at the entry to each exhibitor site.
In addition, there will be hand washing provisions at each bathroom facility.
WILL THERE BE A COVID MARSHALL PRESENT?
Yes, dedicated COVID Marshalls from Mitchell Shire Council will be deployed to ensure that all COVID regulations are being adhered to by both guests and vendors/contractors.
WILL THERE BE FIRST AID PRESENT?
Yes (Victorian First Aid Services, ABN: 40 847 715 565), first aid staff will be stationed in a dedicated Emergency Management room within the General Exhibition Building throughout the event. First responders will be called to any outbreak concerns for patrons, exhibitors, volunteers, staff and contractors, in-line with the directions of all emergency services personnel.
If a patron is suspected of having COVID-19, a surgical face mask will be applied and patient isolated immediately. A single staff member will remain in attendance with the patient, who will be transported in full PPE to their private vehicle – first aid management would liaise directly with Event Management to ensure that a direct travel path is obtained for this to occur.
The first aid transport and isolation room will immediately be disinfected by our contract cleaning team as well as our event safety team alerting, advising, and transporting all close contacts in PPE offsite.
Any identified area’s that the suspected case has been onsite will immediately be placed in lockdown and the Department of Health COVID hotline (Department of Health and Human Services Communicable Diseases section 1300 651 160 will be contacted for further and immediate advice on closing the site and managing egress of all other onsite patients.
Our contact tracing data (From our ticketing system) will be made available to the Department of Health team to begin identifying any close contacts and other patrons who will be advised to present to local testing stations.
IS THERE AN EMERGENCY SERVICES ACCESS POINT?
Yes, there will be clear access pathways for emergency services to enter the site through Lesley St Exhibitor gate. In line with our Emergency Management Plan, vehicles responding to a COVID outbreak would be filtered through Lesley St Exhibitor gate with COVID Marshalls isolating first aid providers and patients to our dedicated First Aid room.
If the emergency is at the highest risk level, all emergency gates will be opened (6 entry points) immediately to allow mass entry of emergency services.
WILL ALCOHOL BE SERVED AT THE EVENT?
Yes, there will be limited serving of alcohol for pre-arranged invite only functions. All COVIDSafe measures will be in place and QR recording of contract tracing data to be implemented at any pre-arranged event/s.
There will also be limited serving of alcohol in four locations on-site, which is sub-contracted to the Seymour Football Netball Club (SFNC). The event organizer will ensure SFNC are adhering to all DHHS COVIDSafe measures. Alcohol sales are limited to event public opening times.
WILL THERE BE DEDICATED CLEANERS AT THE EVENT?
Yes, contracted commercial Cleaners will carry out regular COVID clean of pavilions, door handles and toilet facilities in line with an agreed cleaning plan, using handwashing, hand sanitisation and disinfection provisions.
WILL EVENT STAFF RECEIVE A COVIDSAFE INDUCTION ON ARRIVAL?
Yes, all staff are inducted prior to the event and are aware of their COVIDSafe responsibilities. All staff have been trained by way of on-line instruction through Infectious Controlling Courses (via DHHS Website) and employee manuals (where applicable).
A copy of the COVIDSafe event plan will be easily accessible for all staff and volunteers at the Administration Event Office.
WILL THERE BE FOOD & BEVERAGES SOLD AT THE EVENT?
Yes, all event catering is executed by paid vendors or volunteer organisations. COVIDSafe plans will be monitored by the COVIDSafe Officer and Exhibitor Manager for compliance. General Health regulation compliance will be reviewed onsite by Mitchell Shire Council representatives. COVIDSafe and general OHS compliance will be administered by Worksafe Victoria.
It is the responsibility of the catering vendors to ensure strict social distancing and hand sanitisation practices are being maintained within their allocated area. COVIDSafe Marshalls will assist in monitoring and patron compliance.
WILL THERE BE AMUSEMENT/ENTERTAINMENT MADE AVAILABLE TO GUESTS?
Yes, entertainment will be spread across five dedicated areas within the event space. Entertainment ranges from demonstrations, interactive activations, rides and live music in each food court area (single performer for ambient music).
In each instance the contracted party is to control patron access, flow and ensure that social distance is maintained.
Where patrons are directly interacting (i.e. rides), areas exposed to physical touch are to be cleaned after each use.
Each contractor is to include their COVID-Safe Plan as part of their submission to ensure they’re complying with current Government regulations.
Our onsite COVID Officers will oversee each site and intervene if ensure COVID-Safe regulations are being adhered to.
WILL PUBLIC TRANSPORT VEHICLES BE ALLOWED AT THE EVENT SITE?
No, there will be no direct public transport available for this event.