South-west parents will need to be double-vaxxed to volunteer or participate in their children's nippers activities this summer.
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The mandate applies to all Victorian clubs, including Warrnambool, Port Fairy and Port Campbell, which educate hundreds of children aged up to 13 years, about water safety and basic lifesaving skills.
Life Saving Victoria (LSV) chief executive officer Cath Greaves said if parents and guardians weren't vaccinated they would not be able to attend club facilities and activities.
The mandate came into effect once the state reached 70 per cent vaccination rates this month.
"For our volunteer-run activities such as nippers to be possible, we rely on the assistance of parents and guardians being actively involved with programs on our beaches and in our clubs," Ms Greaves said.
She said the rule did not extend to nippers themselves "who were not included in the public health directions requiring COVID-19 vaccination at this stage".
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Ms Greaves said with more than 80 per cent of the eligible population expected to be vaccinated before nippers began and after extensive club consultation, LSV didn't expect any issues delivering the program. Its earliest nippers programs aren't due to begin until the end of November.
Warrnambool Surf Lifesaving Club team captain Josephine McDowall said LSV would this week help the club collect all members' proof of vaccination status, via an online form.
She said the club was asking all members to comply with the Chief Health Officer directives and LSV recommendations.
"This includes those involved in delivery of our emergency service, volunteer patrols, surf sports, nippers and other education programs, as well as any members accessing the club facility," Ms McDowall said.
"COVID-19 vaccination helps to protect members patrolling our beaches, performing rescues and if needed resuscitation, from developing serious complications from contracting COVID-19," she said.
Ms Greaves said LSV was awaiting further government advice "regarding detailed community sport settings and who can participate in our programs once it is safe to restart them, and will continue to apply this advice to ensure we comply".
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