This year we’re planning to run YMCA Victoria Youth Parliament and YMCA Victoria Press Gallery in person, but we all know that in the current climate things can change very quickly due to COVID-19. That’s why we’ve come up with a variety of contingency plans so that the programs will go ahead no matter what.

LEVEL ONE

If there are no COVID-19 restrictions:

  • Program will run residentially and to schedule
  • Debate will be held at Parliament House

LEVEL TWO

If there are some low-level COVID-19 restrictions:

  • Program will run residentially and to schedule
  • Debate is likely to be held at Parliament House with restrictions in place
  • COVID-19 restrictions will be in place on camp

LEVEL THREE

If there are many COVID-19 restrictions:

  • Program may run residentially depending upon severity of restrictions
  • Debate will be held on campsite or at alternative function space and streamed online for an audience
  • COVID-19 restrictions will be in place on camp

LEVEL FOUR

If there are extreme COVID-19 restrictions:

  • Residential aspects of the program will not run
  • All training and communications will be run online
  • Stakeholder meetings will be run online
  • Debates and elections will be run online

During the residential camps, we’ll be taking all the necessary precautions to ensure participants and our team are safe. This includes temperature scanning, enforcing physical distancing requirements, displaying signage and instructions, and increasing our hygiene and cleaning practices at Lake Dewar Lodge. If the weather permits, we’ll be hosting the majority of our sessions outdoors.

Our staff and volunteers have all completed COVID-safe online training provided by the Department of Health, as well as the Y’s awareness and commitment statement. This means that staff and volunteers all have the skills and knowledge they need in the unlikely instance there is a suspected or confirmed case at one of our programs. 

If you would like to view our COVID-safe plan or if you have any questions in relation to COVID-safety at the Y, please email youthparliament.vic@ymca.org.au.