Scott Morrison announces easing of stadium restrictions, Black Lives Matter rally organisers fined
The prospect of 10,000-strong crowds at AFL matches has been given a boost that could fast track getting thousands of fans back to stadiums from next month.
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The prospect of 10,000-strong crowds at AFL matches has been given a boost that could fast track getting fans back to stadiums.
The National Cabinet agreed on Friday stadiums that held up to 40,000 people would be able to reopen with a quarter of their capacity from next month.
But the Herald Sun understands the AFL has no intention of shifting games from the MCG and Marvel Stadium to smaller suburban grounds.
As the AFL season resumes, the Andrews Government is in close talks with the league on ways to get supporters back into the stands.
It is understood tiers or areas could be closed off to effectively reduce capacity in the larger stadiums.
A State Government spokesman said: “We’re working with relevant codes to get fans back to stadiums as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The preferred option is allowing a substantial number of supporters into matches, rather than the limited number ticked off for games in Adelaide and Sydney this weekend.
This could be achieved with strict entry rules and person limits in individual stands and bays.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said bigger stadiums would need approval from state governments for fans to return, with “practical, commonsense issues” to be worked through by the national medical expert panel over coming weeks.
Stadium operators would likely need to restrict access to bars and food stands, as Mr Morrison said areas where fans congregated away from their seats would present greater health risks.
Public transport access to grounds will be another planning priority to prevent a commuter crush before and after games.
MCC authorities believe they could hold 30,000 to 40,000 fans in a socially-distanced environment but will have to wait for state government authority.
Geelong hopes the National Cabinet’s decision will mean up to 9000 fans can enter the 36,000-seat GMHBA Stadium next month.
Fans will be itching to attend Geelong’s clash with Gold Coast on July 4 — due to be skipper Joel Selwood’s 300th game and Gary Ablett’s 350th match.
Club spokesman Kevin Diggerson said Geelong was waiting on the AFL and the Andrews Government to outline “when they see fit to allow crowds back”.
Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has indicated that crowds of at least 10,000 people are “not out of the question in the next couple of months”.
Speaking earlier this week, Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula said that would provide access for ordinary fans, not just corporate ticketholders, and give matches “a bit of atmosphere on the ground”.
“There’s not a huge amount of utility having 500 people at the footy,” he said.
“It’s probably more likely there will be a larger number of people let in at a later date, rather than dribs and drabs.
“I think something in the vicinity of 10,000 to 20,000, that is worthwhile.”
If 50 fans were allowed in each of the MCG’s 202 bays, it would enable a crowd of 10,100.
AFL Fans Association vice president Cheryl Critchley said it was a “double-edged sword” as tens of thousands of members from bigger clubs would still miss out.
“It’s small but it’s a great start — anything’s better than nothing,” she said.
- Tom Minear, Harrison Tippet and Rhiannon Down
FOUR NEW CASES CONFIRMED
A preschool-aged child has contracted coronavirus in Melbourne.
The child was one of four new coronavirus cases reported in Victoria in the past 24 hours.
The child spent one day at Kangaroo Ground preschool in the city’s northeast, though was not showing symptoms while they were there.
The centre, on Graham Rd, was due to remain shut for at least one day while cleaning was carried out.
Contact tracing was ongoing, the Department of Health and Human Services said.
None of Victoria’s new cases are believed to be linked to a Black Lives Matter protest held on the weekend.
Two of the new cases are in recently returned travellers, while one was detected via routine testing.
The other case is under investigation.
There have been no changes to community transmission numbers.
Three event organisers of Saturday’s Black Lives Matter protest have copped fines of $1,652, but no one else will face any consequences.
Victoria Police said today it had issued a $1,652 infringement notice to each of the three organisers of Saturday’s protest for breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directives.
“As part of the post-event investigation, police considered a range of factors in relation to further enforcement activity but we have ultimately determined this to be the appropriate outcome,” a statement said.
No further fines will be issued by Victoria Police in relation to the protest.
REFUGEE PROTEST PLANNED FOR SATURDAY
Eight smaller rallies will be held across Melbourne to protest indefinite detention of refugees tomorrow.
Refugee Action Collective will host separate rallies of up to 20 people simultaneously at 2pm — one week after 10,000 people attended the Black Lives Matter in the CBD, where one protester tested positive to COVID-19.
Health Minister Jenny Mikakos condemned plans for the protest but said no legal action would be sought against the rally.
“That’s not necessary in Victoria,” she said.
Deputy chief health officer Dr Annaliese Van Diemen said that while the protest was not consistent with the state’s health advice, the organisers’ plan to split the rally into several smaller groups was preferable to one large gathering.
“If people wish to gather up to 20 as is currently allowed that is obviously their prerogative,” she said.
“(That is a) more responsible way to protest.”
The protests will be held outside State Parliament, State Library of Victoria, Mantra Bell City Hotel in Preston, Broadmeadows MITA detention centre, Docklands’ Border Force, Casselden Place Home Affairs Office, Liberal Party headquarters on Collins St and outside Immigration Minister Alan Tudge’s office.
Protesters originally planned to hold two mass events in Preston and Broadmeadows, but will now host eight smaller events of up to 20 people each around Melbourne, to adhere to health laws.
“The Preston police told us that if we have more than 20 people, even in rotating groups of that size at different times (previously allowed by police), at the Mantra Bell City Hotel we will be in breach of the health laws and fined,” Refugee Action Collective’s Meg Hill said.
“This is a politically biased interpretation of the health laws and an infringement on the right to protest.”
Refugee Action Collective will host another protest on Sunday July 7 outside the State Library to mark seven years of detention for those sent to Manus Island and Nauru.
RACE TO TRACE INFECTED PROTESTER’S CONTACTS
Health authorities are racing to identify the close contacts of a man who tested positive to coronavirus after attending the Black Lives Matter protest on Saturday.
The protester did not have the CovidSafe app downloaded on his phone, and attended the rally with a small group of friends who will all be tested for COVID-19.
But other protesters will not be required to undergo testing unless they develop symptoms, health minister Jenny Mikakos said today.
Ms Mikakos said the advice was consistent with that of the national medical panel, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.
Details of the man have been kept secret for privacy reasons.
“If people are now exhibiting symptoms we would urge them to come forward and get tested,” she said.
The man, in his 30s, is also unlikely to face any police action because health authorities are barred from sharing his identity with police because of privacy regulations.
He was among 10,000 people who attended the Black Lives Matter rally in the city last Saturday.
While he did not report experiencing symptoms until 24 hours after the protest, and wore a mask, health officials on Thursday said he may have been contagious while at the demonstration.
They warned of a potential chain of infection.
Chief Health Officer Professor Brett Sutton refused to provide any information that could identify the man. It is not known if the man had downloaded the COVIDSafe app prior to attending the rally.
As little as 15 minutes of direct contact can be enough to spread the virus.
Disease detectives at the Department of Health are now faced with the mammoth task of identifying people who may have come into close contact with the man.
Each confirmed case can require hours of interviews, producing scores of leads which need analysis.
This can result in dozens of the patients’ loved ones, friends and colleagues ordered into self-isolation.
Australian Medical Association vice president Chris Zappala said the protester’s positive test result went to “the heart of the concerns around collections of people”.
“To reduce the case numbers, we would implore people, that no matter what they’re doing, whether they’re at these events … or in their daily lives, that we adhere to those physical distancing and hand-hygiene measures, because that’s what’s going to keep us safe,” he said.
Dr Zappala said testing and contact tracing would become very important in the days to come. “We’ve just got to clamp down as quickly as possible on them,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee maintained those who were part of last weekend’s protests do not need to self-isolate or be tested unless they experience symptoms or are identified as a close contact of the infected protester.
It said it would take “some days” to discover if others have been affected.
MELBOURNE BLM PROTEST
When: June 6
What happened: Approx 10,000 people attended rally in defiance of widespread health advice. Protesters urged to self-isolate and get tested if they experience symptoms
Total number of linked case:
One man has tested positive so far
FAWKNER MCDONALD’S
First case reported: May 5
What happened: Employees sent home, restaurant closed for deep clean, reopened days later
Who was tested: 92 employees tested and instructed to self-isolate for 14 days. Close contacts also advised to quarantine.
Total number of linked cases: 8 cases; including 4 employees and 4 family members.
CEDAR MEATS
First case reported: April 2, second case not until April 26
What happened: Brooklyn abattoir closed on April 29 for deep clean. 300 employees were cleared to return to work one month later. WorkSafe investigating
Who was tested: All of Cedar Meats’ 300+ staff were tested + close contacts.
Total number of linked cases: 111 cases: 67 workers and 44 close contacts.
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