COVID-19 Update

The world in which we all live has changed so much since early 2020.

 The Lottery Office Outback Air Race is facing new challenges for this next event, as a consequence of COVID-19.

Your organising committee is keeping abreast of the ever-changing pandemic in Australia.  We are constructing the event to be compliant with whatever state (NT, QLD & NSW) and federal restrictions or recommendations are in place and will be ensuring that the basic pandemic controls such as:

• Use of COVID Safe plans (adherence to those existing created by event contractors/accommodation; and creation of some of our own)
• Social distancing when gathered in groups (excepting in our aircraft)
• Basic Hygiene (e.g. hand sanitiser, masks when appropriate, minimisation of self-serve meals)

We will also mandate COVID Testing (RAT, PCR)  when symptoms appear, and obligatory withdrawal from the event if you test positive.

In addition, as we have done on all of our events in recent times, we have a Race Doctor travelling with us.  The RFDS is also not far away if more intensive care is needed.  

These measures will help to keep us safe, as well as the communities that we visit during the event.

Of course, the future is still uncertain.   As such, there remains a possibility, in case of escalation of the pandemic and the imposition of tighter government controls, that it will be necessary to defer or cancel the event.  We hope it does not come to that, but we must acknowledge the possibility.  A Decision Date of 1 May 2022 is reserved to make a final decision to proceed (although cancellation after that date can still occur). 

For all of us, and particularly for the more senior among us, the simple act of gathering and travelling as a group represents a heightened health risk relative to staying at home.  It is also undeniable that the availability of rapid response health care may be quite limited or delayed in some of the remote places we visit, compared to that available where you live.  There are also commercial risks to be considered as it is not possible to guarantee that all payments made are fully refundable under all circumstances, nor that significant extra costs to you will not occur due to quarantine related hotel, living and transport costs.  

Beyond expected compliance with all applicable legislation, we leave it to you the participants to make your decisions on whether to participate in OAR2022.  We do hope you will decide to join us.

Cancellation Policy

1. In the event that the entire OAR2022 is cancelled by a decision of the organising committee due to prevailing COVID19 considerations or regulations

A: Prior to May 1, 2022

Registration fees: full refund

Accommodation deposits: will be minimised prior to May 1, 2022. Full refund if paid subject to

recovery from the organisations pre-paid.

Transport and event deposits: will be minimised prior to May 1, 2022. Full refund if paid subject to

recovery from the organisations pre-paid.

Donations made by or on behalf of your team: remain with the RFDS

B: After May 1, 2022

Registration fees: subject to the event’s capability to do so, and not guaranteed.

Accommodation deposits: Full refund subject to recovery from the organisations pre-paid.

Transport and event deposits: Full refund subject to recovery from the organisations pre-paid.

Donations made by or on behalf of your team: remain with the RFDS

2. In the case of Individual teams withdrawing from the event but the event is not cancelled:

A: Prior to May 1, 2022

Registration fees: full refund

Accommodation deposits: Full refund

Transport and event deposits: Full refund.

Donations made by or on behalf of your team: remain with the RFDS

B: After May 1, 2022

Registration fees: subject to reason and Committee decision.

Accommodation deposits: Full refund subject to recovery from the organisations pre-paid.

Transport and event deposits: Full refund subject to recovery from the organisations pre-paid.

Donations made by or on behalf of your team: remain with the RFDS