31st March 2020

Equestrian WA will continue to provide members with constant updates concerning the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

On Sunday 29 March 2020, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced further restrictions on Non-essential Gatherings.  

The advice;
Stay at home unless you are;
•    Going to work or education (if you are unable to do so at home)
•    Shopping for essential supplies such as groceries, return home without delay
•    Going out for personal exercise in the neighbourhood, on your own or with one other
•    Attending medical appointments or compassionate visits.

Further to the above, the Western Australian Government has also declared the State of Emergency for Western Australia by implementing stage 3 restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings which are to limit both indoor and outdoor gatherings to two persons only which will be in place after 11:59 pm, Tuesday, 31 March 2020 

The regulation requires all Western Australians to stay in their homes except for:
•    shopping for what you need - food, takeaway, and necessary supplies
•    medical or health care needs, including compassionate requirements
•    exercise in compliance with the public gathering requirements
•    work and study if you can’t work or learn remotely.

Exceptions to this limit include:
•    people of the same household going out together
•    funerals - a maximum of 10 people
•    weddings - a maximum of 5 people.

All playgrounds, skate parks and outside gyms in public places will be closed.

Stage 3 restrictions will also implement Intrastate travel restrictions within the entire State of Western Australia. Western Australians will not be permitted to leave their boundary, to assist in reducing the spread.

Intrastate travel is defined as movement through the boundaries of the regions of Western Australia. However, due to Perth and Peel’s proximity, the regions will form as one and exemptions will apply for:
•    people travelling to work
•    attending medical appointments
•    transporting freight
•    where necessary to attend school or an educational institution
•    those who do not have access to groceries or supplies within their region
•    approved compassionate grounds. 

National parks remain open at this time, aside from some sites within parks that would generally receive high numbers of visitors. However, visitors must heed the new intrastate travel restrictions.

Therefore, Equestrian WA provides the following advice;

•    All Equestrian WA affiliated events are to be suspended until further notice
•    If you can stay home, you should stay home
•    If you need to travel to care for your horse/s, including food, water, exercise etc. you need to comply with all Commonwealth and State health directives
•    That members who provide agistment services from their place of residence need to adhere to the stage 3 restrictions on indoor and outdoor gatherings and ensure that no more than two people are present at any one time while complying with social distancing and hygiene requirements
•    That clubs and commercial affiliates who provide agistment services from their property need to comply with the government directions, social distancing and hygiene requirements
•    If your horse is in agistment, when caring for your horse, only use your own grooming kit, tack and equipment, do not share your equipment with other people.
•    That veterinarians and other professional services such as farriers are permitted to attend properties as required while complying with all government restrictions, social distancing and hygiene requirements. Produce stores will be allowed to remain open.
•    That coaches conduct lessons with a single student only and following all government restrictions, social distancing, hygiene requirements and guidelines from Equestrian Australia and Equestrian WA

It is important to note that this information is for members located in the state of Western Australia. The public health restrictions and advice determined by each state government may vary from state to state.  

This information is current as of 4:02 pm, 31st March 2020, however, is subject to change as new information becomes available. 

For information and the latest update regarding agistment centres and coaching, please click here.