Strict COVID safe measures in place for Road Nats 

The City of Ballarat, together with AusCycling, is committed to delivering the 2022 Federation University Road National Championships in a COVID safe manner. 

City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said it was vital to reassure the Ballarat and Buninyong communities that the event would have the strictest COVID safe measures in place. 

“Last year’s championships were run under very stringent COVID conditions and were still a huge success,” Cr Moloney said. 

“We have been planning for several months now for all contingencies and I am confident the City of Ballarat and AusCycling will have all the required safety measures in place to ensure the safety of attendees and residents. 

AusCycling Executive General Manager - Sport Kipp Kauffmann said the championships’ COVIDSafe Plan went above and beyond the Department of Health and Chief Health Officer requirements. 

“We have had ongoing consultation with the City of Ballarat, emergency services and the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure a COVID safe event,” Mr Kauffman said. 

“We delivered the 2021 championships in extraordinary conditions and in a COVID safe manner which was considered a benchmark standard.” 

As part of the COVID Safe Plan: 

  Workforce 

• All staff, volunteers and contractors must be fully vaccinated. They will also be required to do a Rapid Antigen Test before joining the event. 
• Workforce personnel will be spread out in accommodation to minimise risk. 
• All government regulations regarding masks will be adhered to. 
• The event has dedicated medical staff to ensure there is no impact on local medical and emergency services. 

  Participants 

• All participants must be fully vaccinated and will be checked as part of the registration process. 
• All participants must complete a wellness undertaking prior to being allowed to participate, and anyone will COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted to participate. 

  Venue 

• QR codes and hand sanitiser will be spread around venues for spectators to check into the event. The breadth of the implementation will be above and beyond current government guidelines. 
• If there are COVID-related issues within the workforce, non-essential infrastructure will be scaled back to ensure the event can go ahead in a modified format. 
• All venues are outdoors over large areas (up to 10 kilometres). Spectators will be encouraged to spread out around the course to watch the races.  

Contingency plans: 

• Contingency plans are ready and in place should any restrictions be implemented (e.g. density limits) 

The championships kick off with time trials at Federation University on Wednesday 12 January and Thursday 13, the criterium under lights in the Ballarat CBD on Friday 14, and finish with the road races in Buninyong on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16.     

  The event will end with a bang with the Fireworks Spectacular being held on Sunday 16 January at Lake Wendouree.