COVID-19 AND KUSA EVENTS

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1. New Covid Procedures

Posted in COVID-19 AND KUSA EVENTS

KUSA Events under Adjusted Alert Level 1

Following the announcement on 30 September 2021 of the adjustment to COVID-19 Alert Level 1, the KUSA COVID-19 Protocols and Procedures have provisionally been amended as follows:

Access Control and Disclaimers will no longer be required at KUSA-licensed events, but organisers must continue to manage their events to include all possible precautionary and preventative measures to protect participants from exposure to coronavirus.

In particular, and without exception, the following MUST REMAIN IN PLACE:

  • Clubs must ensure that no more than 2000 people are present at any time during an Event held outdoors, or 750 people if held indoors.
  • Every person attending must wear a mask at all times, except when running while handling a dog in competition.
  • Sanitiser must be freely available in suitable dispensers.
  • Social distancing must be observed at all times.

Responsibility for ensuring that all COVID-19 Protocols are adhered to is the sole responsibility of show-holding Clubs and they should take note of the following:

  • A COVID-19 Compliance Officer and Assistant COVID-19 Compliance Officer must be appointed and their details submitted to KUSA. The Compliance Officer must be a KUSA member, but it is not necessary for the Assistant Compliance Officer to be a KUSA member.
  • The following Statement must appear on all Schedules for KUSA events:

COVID-19 Protocols & Procedures will be observed at this event

  • A maximum of 2000 people will be allowed at the venue at any one time if held outdoors, or 750 attendees if held indoors.
  • All persons attending this event must wear a reusable cloth or sponge face mask, or a disposable surgical mask, except when running while handling a dog in competition. Face shields only are not legal. Any person not wearing a mask will be requested to leave the venue.
  • All attendees must observe social distancing and, whenever feasible, maintain a distance of at least 1.5 metres between themselves and others with whom they don’t cohabit.
  • Sanitiser will be available at the Organisers’ Office, on all Judges’ tables, at ring entrances and in the toilet areas.

Please note that by entering and/or attending this event, participants are agreeing to comply with any instructions issued by the COVID-19 Compliance Officers, and that the organisers have the right to request any person who refuses to comply with a request or instruction to leave the venue. Any person found to be non-compliant may also be liable for disciplinary action under Schedule 1 of the KUSA Constitution. 

The above Protocols and Procedures are subject to immediate change in the event of either the Alert Level, or the Government Regulations pertaining to COVID-19, being varied prior to this event.

THE COVID-19 COMPLIANCE OFFICERS AT THIS EVENT ARE:

COVID-19 Compliance Officer: NAME, CONTACT NUMBER & KUSA MEMBERSHIP NUMBER

Deputy COVID-19 Compliance Officer: NAME & CONTACT NUMBER 

IMPORTANT

Compliance with COVID-19 Protocols at KUSA events is mandatory. To ensure adherence to the regulations, random inspections may be undertaken at events and Club Officials, including the Show Manager and Officers of the show-holding Club, will be held responsible for non-compliance with the prescribed Protocols and may be liable for disciplinary action under Schedule 1 of the KUSA Constitution.

Issued by the KUSA COVID-19 TASK TEAM, 12 October, 2021.

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4. Regulations - Alert Level 1 - Disaster Management Act

Posted in COVID-19 AND KUSA EVENTS

Regulations for Adjusted Alert Level 1 during COVID-19 lockdown, issued under the Disaster Management Act, No. 57 of 2002 

With dog shows proceeding under Adjusted Alert Level 1, it is necessary for the Kennel Union to bring the following to the attention of all those hosting and organising dog shows, and those contemplating attending them:

The Regulations issued in terms of the Disaster Management Act for Adjusted Alert Level 1 provide, inter alia, as follows in respect of “social gatherings”, provisions which also cover KUSA-licensed dog shows:

  • The owner or operator of the facility where the gathering is held must display a “certificate of occupancy” which states the maximum number of people the facility may hold, i.e. 2000. [Regulation 36(2)]
  • Failure to display a “certificate of occupancy” renders the owner or operator of the facility liable to a fine or six months’ imprisonment, or [Regulation 36(3)]
  • The convener of a gathering must ensure the limitation of 2000 persons at an outdoor facility is [Regulation 36(5)]
  • Failure to comply with the 2000 persons limitation constitutes an offence on the part of the convener which, upon conviction, renders him/her liable to a fine or six months’ imprisonment, or [Regulation 36(6)]
  • Any person attending a gathering who knows, or ought reasonably to have known or suspected, that the number of people will exceed the 2000-persons limit, will be guilty of an offence and, upon conviction, be liable to a fine or six months’ imprisonment, or both. [Regulation 36(7)]
  • In happening upon a gathering exceeding 2000 people, an enforcement officer must order the assembled to disperse immediately. Any persons refusing to disperse may face arrest and detention under the Criminal Procedure Act, 51 of 1977. [Regulation 36(14)]

It is important for all those involved in the hosting and organisation of dog shows to be aware that KUSA’s Public Liability Insurance only covers KUSA-licensed events insofar as they are “legal” under prevailing national laws. In consequence, owners and operators of venues, as well as conveners of dog shows, are hereby advised that KUSA accepts neither responsibility, nor liability, vicarious or otherwise, for shows at which the legislated limits for gatherings are not strictly observed.

Any transgression in the upholding of the legislated limitation of a gathering shall automatically invalidate the licence KUSA had issued for the show. Should any liability arise from a show at which the authorised size of the gathering had been exceeded, such liability shall fall to the owner or operator of the facility, or the convener of such unlawful gathering, as the case may be.

Pascale Midgley

General Manager

The Kennel Union of Southern Africa

01.10.2021

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5. Covid Notice for Schedules

Posted in COVID-19 AND KUSA EVENTS

COVID-19

KUSA appeals to attendees at all licensed events to keep up basic precautions whenever possible to prevent a surge of infections, including:

  • Wearing a mask that covers your nose and mouth

Masks are no longer obligatory outdoors, but must be worn indoor public spaces – this includes the Organiser’s Office at KUSA licensed events whether in a building or marquee.

  • Keeping a safe distance from others and avoiding crowded areas
  • Washing or sanitising your hands regularly

All venues are limited to 50% of their capacity with an upper limit of 1000 indoors and 2000 outdoors (unless proof of vaccine or negative COVID test is required, in which case there is no upper limit)

Please note that by entering and/or attending this event, participants are agreeing to comply with any instructions issued by the Show Manger and/or COVID-19 Compliance Officer/s, (if appointed by the club), and that the organisers have the right to request any person who refuses to comply with a request or instruction to leave the venue. Any person found to be non-compliant may also be liable for disciplinary action under Schedule 1 of the KUSA Constitution.

The above Protocols and Procedures are subject to immediate change in the event of Government Regulations pertaining to COVID-19, being varied prior to this event.

Updated : April 2022