State Government bans spectators from senior cricket matches
Key aspects of how community cricket can start in regional Victoria next month have been revealed, with the plan containing a surprise — and it’s not good for people who just want to watch the games.
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Spectators will be banned from watching senior country cricket under guidelines released by Sports and Recreation Victoria.
In its latest COVID-19 return to train and play update, Cricket Victoria lists key aspects of the State Government’s position of how cricket can start in regional Victoria next month in line with “road maps to re-opening’’.
Indoor training is banned but outdoor training is permitted in groups of no more than 10.
Three groups of 10 can train at one time — one group in the nets, one on half of the ground and one on the other half of the ground.
The groups can be rotated across the session but they cannot mix.
Spectators are permitted at under-age competitions – 18 and under – “for those supervising children or supporting players with additional needs, while maintaining gathering limits of no more than ten people’’.
But they cannot attend senior matches.
The State Government’s view is that only players, coaches, umpires, scorers, a COVID officer and anyone operating the canteen can be at the ground.
Toilets and changerooms may be opened, although Cricket Victoria is recommending they be closed to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and minimise cleaning time and costs.
Canteens, kiosks or dining areas may be also be opened in line with “industry restart hospitality guidelines’’, including the “four and two square metre rule’’ and density poster signage.
School ovals may be unavailable, with clubs told to check with the schools.
Metropolitan Melbourne residents are banned from travelling to regional Victoria for cricket, and Victoria/NSW border residents will need a permit to travel for games.
With metropolitan Melbourne remaining in “step one” restrictions any form of cricket training away from home isn’t allowed.
Country clubs and associations are having to familiarise themselves with COVID-19 protocols for training, including:
■ CLEANING training equipment such as balls, cones, stumps and bowling machines.
■ PLAYERS “checking in’’ and using hand sanitiser on arrival, reapplying every 30-40 minutes.
■ PLAYERS arriving dressed ready to train and not sharing equipment.
■ MASKS to be worn at all times by players over the age of 12, except when they are batting, bowling and fielding
■ PLAYERS “signing out’’ on the attendance register after training.
■ SOCIAL and physical distancing of 1.5m must be maintained at all times.
Cricket Victoria is holding webinars with associations and clubs today to discuss the latest information.
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