Finally, - NOTE - At this stage for members only
Following the recent announcement from the Victoria Government, SSAA Victoria can advise that ranges can reopen according to clause 6 of the Restricted Activity Direction (No 7):
Based on this information, SSAA Victoria authorises all branches to reopen their ranges providing they meet social distancing requirements. SSAA Victoria provides the following advice to all branches and clubs on how ranges can resume operations under the current restrictions.
For regional ranges:
• Where facilities are broken into multiple ranges and isolated from each other, groups of up to 10 plus the range officer(s) can shoot in each location. Please note, anyone on the firing line would be included in the group of 10.
• For ranges that can accommodate more than 1 group of 10 people, the conditions above must still be followed. However, more than 1 group can be on the range as long as the groups maintain the required social distancing.
• Each branch needs to consider the practicalities of maintaining social distancing and ensuring any one group size is not larger than 10. Please see some of the operating restrictions that are being placed on Springvale and Eagle Park below as a guide.
• Clubhouses must not be used except by patrons for access to toilets.
• Food and drink are still restricted to takeaway only.
• Other considerations branches may wish to address on their public ranges include:
o Restrict access to members only
o Limit time on the range to ensure that as many members as possible have access on a given day
o Patrons should only be coming to have a shoot and then leave - discourage extended socialisation at the ranges
o Control numbers and spacing in carpark for those waiting
o Pre-booking system if workable
For Eagle Park ranges:
• The range complex will be open to members-only from Saturday 16 May, 2020 for a period of 2 weeks. After two weeks, non-members will be allowed to use the range. This approach will be re-assessed after this weekend.
• All sub-club ranges can reopen, ensuring that there are no more than 10 members plus range officers, on a range at one time.
• Members waiting to use a range must not group together in numbers greater than 10, and ensure that social distancing is maintained between all members.
• Clubhouses must not be used except for access to toilets, where essential.
• The office will be restricted in the number customers at a time.
• The main range will be divided into sections to provide social distancing between each group of 10 shooters.
• If there is demand for bays on the main range, a 3-hour time limit will be applied for each patron on the main range.
• Main range patrons will be required to wait in the carpark once the firing line is full. Social distancing will be required to be maintained at all times.
For Springvale ranges:
• The range will be open to members-only from Thursday 14 May, 2020 for a period of 2 weeks. After two weeks, non-members will be allowed to use the range. This approach will be re-assessed after this weekend.
• The main range will be restricted to 5 bench, 5 prone positions and the two booths. This balance can be varied based on demand.
• Patrons waiting for the main range cannot congregate in groups greater than 10. Social distancing will need to be maintained.
• Once the main range has reached capacity, patrons will be restricted from entering the building.
• If there is demand for bays on the main range, a 2-hour time limit will be applied for each patron.
• Main range patrons will be required to wait in the carpark once the range is full. Social distancing will be required to be maintained at all times.
• Sub-club ranges:
o Range 1 – maximum of 5 shooting bays and 1 RO and no more than 10 shooters waiting. Clubs will be required to assist with maintaining these numbers.
o Range 2 – closed.
o Ranges 3 and 4 (once works completed) – maximum of 5 shooters and 1 RO if shooting from a single firing line. For IPSC, a maximum of 10 shooters and 1 RO.
o Range 5 - maximum of 5 shooters and 1 RO if shooting from a single firing line. For IPSC, a maximum of 10 shooters and 1 RO.
o Range 6 - maximum of 6 shooting bays (1 shooter per bay) and 1 RO.
o The hallway behind range 3 and 4 can only have up to 10 people waiting to use range 3, 4 and 5. Clubs will be required to assist with maintaining these numbers.
• Once ranges are full, additional members will need to wait outside in carpark.
We ask all branches and clubs to ensure that these restrictions are communicated to your members and assist range staff in maintaining these requirements. It is appreciated that all clubs and members would like to get back to normal operation but we need to work with the current restrictions as directed by the State Government. Failure to follow these restrictions could result in closure of the ranges and penalties applied to the organisation.
For Eagle Park and Springvale, staff have been asked to check all ranges throughout the day to ensure that the facility is not in breach of the government directive. Should staff identify that these restrictions are not being adhered to, they will ask the club to make the required changes. We ask that all clubs respect the directions of the staff and comply. They are only doing this in the interest of all members and the organisation.