Media Release: Greater Melbourne COVID Protocols

PRESS RELEASE – Wednesday 26 May 2021

AFL Victoria have released the new COVID protocols that are to be enforced within Greater Melbourne.

Commencing from 6pm on Tuesday 25 May to 11:59pm on Friday 4 June, AFL Outer East will act on these protocols and implement them through all its sporting activity across the region.

The ability to participate in training, games and Auskick Centres in a safe, hygienic, and controlled manner is paramount to AFL Outer East. The safety and wellbeing of our participants across the region is our number one priority.

Our primary focus is ensuring training, games and Auskick are conducted in a safe environment in a well-prepared and educated manner.

AFL Outer East will continue to follow any direction from AFL Victoria and the Victorian State Government so that any sporting activity that takes place under our jurisdiction does not compromise the health of individuals or the community.

In line with the current advice from the Victorian Government, all clubs and Auskick Centres operating under AFL Outer East must abide by the following directions:

Mandatory requirements:

• Masks are mandatory while indoors for people over 12 years or unless there is a lawful exception within the Greater Melbourne area.
• If you are undertaking a form of exercise or physical activity where you are out of breath or puffing, such as running, you do not need to wear a face mask. However, a face mask must be worn before and after exercising.
• A density quotient of one per two square metres applies for indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Social distancing is to be maintained at all times when not participating.
• QR codes are mandatory and need to be used for all in attendance at the relevant venues.
• All venues must use the free Victorian Government QR Service for record keeping and the relevant signage must be displayed throughout the venue including at the entrance to the grounds. All AFL Outer East venues must have this in place from 6pm Friday 28 May.
• All clubs and Auskick Centres must have a COVIDSafe Plan (A template can be found on AFL Victoria’s website)
• Club’s utilising venues with a capacity of over 500 people must publish their COVIDSafe Plan on their website.

Mandatory Travel Requirements:

• All players/officials travelling to regional Victoria by anyone who resides in the Greater Melbourne area takes the restrictions with them currently applicable for Greater Melbourne.
• Travel is allowed between metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria for training, games and Auskick.
• Face masks MUST be worn indoors at AFL Outer East venues, and when travelling to venues in regional Victoria, unless an exception applies.
• Spectators who attend training, matches or Auskick shall not gather in groups of more than 30 people.

Recommended requirements:

In addition, to ensure the safety of participants, AFL Outer East clubs and Auskick Centres can take the additional safety precautions:

• AFL Victoria strongly recommends the “get in and get out” approach for training, games and Auskick. Players should come dressed and ready to play/train and then get out.
• Spectators may watch community football and netball matches, training and Auskick, but should not gather in groups of more than 30 people. COVID Safe Marshalls should encourage groups of spectators to remain separated while watching sport.
• Access to social rooms and change rooms should be limited in line with the current guidelines, meaning essential staff only should be indoors such as coaches, officials and trainers.
• Juniors – parents watching training and matches should use the approach of ‘drop off and pick up’ and not gather in groups of 30 or more people.

Positive COVID-19 cases:

• Localised outbreaks may require clubs to restrict activity, meaning clubs and Auskick centres must be ready to respond accordingly. The detection of a positive COVID-19 case in a club or Auskick Centre will result in a standard public health response, which may include quarantine of a whole team or large group, and close contacts for the required period.
• Facilities may be closed on the instruction of the local Public Health Authority or the Chief Health Officer. Re-opening of the training facility should only occur after close consultation with the local Public Health Authority.
• Where there is a positive COVID-19 case, the participant, player or official must notify their club immediately. The club must notify AFL Outer East who will notify AFL Victoria and the Public Health Authority. The club and AFL Outer East will then follow the advice of the Public Health Authority or Chief Health Officer who will determine the requirement for quarantining individuals, groups or teams (and their close contacts) and whether the training facility can be used.

 

For more information please contact:

Aaron Bailey, Regional General Manager

Email: [email protected]

 

ENDS