Officials urge Melburnians to follow health advice amid AFL grand final celebrations
Melburnians planning underground barbecues or grand final parties need to tread with caution, health officials have warned.
AFL
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A blockbuster all-Victorian AFL grand final could threaten to undo the state’s hard work in quashing the second wave of coronavirus, health officials are warning.
While regional Victorians can gather at a pub to watch the clash on Saturday between Richmond and Geelong, COVID-19 restrictions in the city mean Melburnians are limited with their footy celebrations.
Victoria chief health officer Professor Brett Sutton said underground barbecues and grand final gatherings could pose a virus risk if health guidelines were ignored.
“It does present a risk if people are not following the advice that we have given all along that we are not at a point where we can have indoor gatherings with close friends or extended family,” he said on Monday.
“If we were at that point where we thought we could recommend those indoor household gatherings we would be saying that. It is not quite there yet.”
Professor Sutton said it was “unfortunate” coronavirus restrictions corresponded with the timing of the AFL grand final, but he assured easing of rules on indoor gathering were “not far away”.
“In a way it is a little bit unfortunate that this is the timing of the grand final. I want people to enjoy it, I’m going to enjoy it, and it would be great if people could work out ways to do it in a way that they can have their beers at home or shout and scream with their family, with their immediate family or household members,” he said.
Under the new easing of restrictions Melburnians are able to gather outside in groups of up to 10 (from two households).
There is no time limit on how long groups can socialise for, and people can travel up to 25km from their homes.