Statement from South Metro Junior Football League (SMJFL) Chief Executive Officer Sarah Loh
25 May 2021
Following a recent COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne’s north, the league wishes to update clubs and their members regarding the impact of additional COVID-Safe measures in Greater Melbourne from 6:00pm today, Tuesday 25 May 2021, until at least Friday 4 June 2021.
The league asks its member clubs to continue strictly adhering to the current public health advice for Greater Melbourne as outlined by the Acting Premier, and the Return to Play protocols for community sport determined by AFL Victoria.
The league continues to follow direction from the AFL and will update as information comes to hand.
We understand the pressure the constantly evolving circumstances the ongoing pandemic places on the community. However, as we have done before and continue to do, we must all work together to keep our community safe and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The league asks that clubs and their members take note of the following:
Current public health advice:
Private gatherings in the home limited to five visitors per day;
Public gatherings limited to 30 people;
Face masks will need to be worn indoors, unless an exemption applies. The face mask requirement applies everyone aged 12 years and older;
Use of the Service Victoria QR code service will still be mandatory in all venues and facilities required to have mandatory electronic record keeping from Friday, 28 May; and
Current density quotients remain in place.
General protocol
Follow AFLV Return to Play protocols;
If you are feeling unwell, you MUST stay home and get tested.
If you have been to the known exposure sites (listed below) you MUST stay home, self-isolate and get tested. DO NOT go to training or your club;
If you are knowingly exposed to the virus and are tested to be negative, you MUST still stay at home and self-isolate. DO NOT go to training or your club;
DO NOT visit family and friends if they are unwell;
DO NOT visit family and friends if you are unwell OR know that you have been in contact with someone who has been unwell; and
‘Get in, train/play, get out’ – DO NOT gather in large groups before or after games and training and maintain 1.5m social distancing.
Small group training (30) as of 6:00pm on Tuesday 25 May, 2021
Parents and spectators will not be permitted to attend training until further notice. If you must remain at the venue during training or games, please remain in your vehicles;
Clubs/teams are to strictly adhere to the maximum of 30 participants per group (including a coach or the minimum number of support staff who are reasonably required to manage the activity), as per the current Victorian Government restrictions. One group of 30 is permitted per half of each oval. This number includes coaches and essential officials;
Groups of 30 must not mix with each other and must remain distant, with participants not allowed to swap between groups;
Social distancing outside of play of 1.5m must be maintained at all times;
All attendees must check in – Contact tracing and scan-ins are completed for all individuals that attend training. A log, or register, of all participants in attendance at each training session MUST be maintained and available upon request by either the League, AFL Victoria or health authorities. All venues must be registered with the Victorian Government QR code service by Friday 28 May, 2021;
Unless otherwise directed, minimise usage to club rooms, changerooms or wet areas, other than toilets. Change at home, arrive ready to go, and leave before showering and changing at home.
Footballs can be used for small outdoor group training, however only limited additional equipment is permitted to be used during training (i.e. field marking cones are permitted); and
Staggered training schedule (e.g. start times, different days, potential for different locations) with no cross over to manage entry and exit points and help avoid gatherings.
Field layout for small outdoor group training
The oval must be divided into two distinct areas where groups of 30 can train; and
No more than two (2) groups of 30 will be permitted per oval (30 people max. training at one time, including a coach or the minimum number of support staff who are reasonably required to manage the activity)
AFL Victoria Return to Play hygiene protocols (April 29, 2021):
Alcohol-based hand sanitisers must be available for all team training sessions and on the interchange bench, with players encouraged to use prior, during and following training/games;
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser;
Do not share drink bottles, helmets or equipment that touches your face or head;
Cover your mouth to cough or sneeze (using your elbow);
Spitting and clearing of nasal/respiratory secretions is not permitted;
Thoroughly clean and disinfect facilities before and after use including change rooms on a regular basis;
Thoroughly clean and disinfect equipment, including footballs, before and after use;
Clean and sanitise mouth guards after each session and ensure they are appropriately stored; and
Hygiene posters displayed (templates available on Toyota AFL Club Help website).
The SMJFL also asks that clubs monitor the public exposure sites listed by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and follow necessary health advice.
The current exposure sites listed by the DHHS are:
SuburbSiteStreet addressExposure periodHealth adviceBundoora (new)Jump! Swim Schools Bundoora4/37 The Concord, Bundoora VIC 308321/05/2021
8:55am – 10:15amTier 1 – Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposureBrunswick (new)Futsal Brunswick409 Victoria Street, Brunswick VIC 305623/05/2021
9:00am – 10:00amTier 2 – Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative resultEpping (new)Nando’s Epping (Dalton Rd)Shop 17 Dalton Village, 351-371 Dalton Road, Epping VIC 307619/05/2021
8:30pm – 9:20pmTier 1 – Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposureEpping (new)Epping North Shopping Centre2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 307622/05/2021
4:45pm – 5:50pmTier 2 – Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative resultEpping (new)House and Party (store)2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 307622/05/2021
5:15pm – 5:50pmTier 2 – Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative resultEpping (new)Woolworths Epping NorthShop 13, 2 Lyndarum Drive, Epping VIC 307622/05/2021
4:45pm – 5:45pmTier 1 – Get tested immediately and quarantine for 14 days from exposureEpping (new)Urban Diner Food Court, Pacific Epping Shopping Centre571-583 High Street, Epping VIC 307623/05/2021
1:15pm – 2:30pmTier 2 – Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative resultMaribyrnong (new)Highpoint Shopping Centre120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 303220/05/2021
5:00pm – 8:00pmTier 1 – Get tested immediately and stay isolated until further noticeReservoir (new)Shell Coles Express Reservoir192-202 Broadway & Whitelaw Street, Reservoir VIC 307318/05/2021
3:15pm – 4:15pmTier 2 – Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative resultReservoir (new)B.T. Connor Reserve200 Broadhurst Avenue, Reservoir VIC 307321/05/2021
8:00pm – 11:30pmTier 2 – Get tested urgently and isolate until you have a negative result
The league is awaiting further confirmation from AFL Victoria and will advise its clubs and their members of any impact to games this weekend.
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