AFL Victoria Statement: 15th July

As per the announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews this afternoon, effective from 11.59pm this evening (Thursday 15^th July) all of Victoria will be in a 5 day lockdown. This will conclude at 11.59pm Tuesday 20^th July.

This results in all Community Sports being cancelled effective from 11.59pm 15^th of July until 11.59pm Tuesday 20^th of July, unless changes occur during this time.

In relation to any training planned for this evening, the below protocols are suggested for this evening’s training schedules for all clubs.

AFL VIC COVID PROTOCOLS – 15 July 2021 Training Purposes

Participating in training, games and Auskick in a safe, hygienic, and controlled manner is paramount to the AFL. The safety and wellbeing of our participants is our number one priority.

We will continue to work with the Victorian State Government to ensure alignment with their advice. Our primary focus is ensuring training, games and Auskick is conducted in a safe environment in a well-prepared and educated manner.

AFL Victoria will continue to follow any direction from the Victorian State Government so that any football activity (including community football and Auskick) in Victoria does not compromise the health of individuals or the community.

In line with current Victorian Government advice clubs and Auskick Centres must follow the following directions:

Mandatory Requirements:

• Masks indoors are mandatory for people over 12 years old or unless there is a lawful exception within the Greater Melbourne area
• If you are doing exercise or a physical activity where you are out of breath or puffing, such running, you do not need to wear a face mask indoors. You must wear a face mask before and after you exercise
• A density quotient of one per four 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. Signs must be displayed through the venue including at entrances to the ground
• https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/register-to-use-vic-gov-qr-code-service
• 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.

Recommended Requirements:

In addition, to ensure the safety of participants, clubs, leagues 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
• Spectators may watch community football games, 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.
• Limit the access to social rooms and change rooms in line with the current guidelines and ensure essential staff only.
• AFL Victoria would recommend that anyone attending training come dressed and ready to play/train and then get out.
• Only essential staff to be in attendance for example, Coaches, Officials and Trainers.
• Juniors – parents watching training and matches should not gather beyond groups of 30 and use the approach of drop off and pick up.
• Auskick – parents watching Auskick should not gather beyond groups of 30
• Please follow all other protocols as per our website – link below.
  • https://cdnaflvic.performancecrew.com.au/raw/aflvic-return-to-training-and-games-protocols-july09.pdf

 Positive COVID-19 Cases

• Localised outbreaks may require clubs to restrict activity and clubs and Auskick Centres must be ready to respond accordingly. The detection of a positive COVID-19 case in a club or Auskick Centres 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 their League who will notify AFL Victoria and the Public Health Authority. The Club and League must then follow the advice of the Public Health Authority or Chief Health Officer who will determine requirement for quarantining individuals, groups or teams (and their close contacts) and whether the training facility can be used.