The Victorian Government confirmed the city of Ballarat will go back into lockdown following a growing COVID-19 cluster. The lockdown restrictions for Ballarat will come into effect at 11:59pm on Wednesday 15 September and last for seven days at this stage, until 11.59pm on Wednesday 22 September. This change affects VSBL club Ballarat Royals, which will no longer be allowed to train as part of the regional Victoria return to training.
As a reminder, the lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Ballarat include:
- Only five reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 5km radius of home unless not available within)
- two hours of exercise (within 5km radius of home unless not available within, and with only one other person)
- caregiving/compassionate/medical reasons
- authorised work or permitted education – with valid permit only
- getting the coronavirus vaccine
- No public or private gatherings
- No community sport
- Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
- Daily curfew from 9pm – 5am (metropolitan Melbourne only)
For the rest of regional Victoria, including VSBL clubs Geelong Baycats and Mitchell Majors, community sport is permitted for outdoor training only with the minimum number required to train. Spectators are prohibited except one parent permitted to supervise children. All players from these clubs will be required to complete the return to training registration for regional Victoria, and all clubs must maintain an attendance register and COVID-19 restriction compliance documentation.
Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor this changing landscape to provide regular updates to VSBL clubs about the start of the summer season. We are expecting further clarification in the coming days as the Victorian Government finalises a roadmap to reopening.
“We understand the challenges of continued lockdown and uncertainty in many parts of our state, and we remain committed to the health and safety of our Victorian baseball community,” Baseball Victoria Interim CEO Gemma Scales said. “We continue to consult with stakeholders and update VSBL clubs ahead of the summer season as we look forward to getting back on the diamond when it’s safe to do so.”
Full details on the latest Victorian Government announcements are available HERE.
COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for all Victorians aged 16 years and over. Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are safe, free, and very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.
Click HERE to book your vaccine appointment.
It remains very important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.
To stop the spread, everyone should check this list of exposure sites and follow these instructions:
- Anyone who has visited a Tier 1 exposure site during the times listed must immediately isolate, get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test, and quarantine for 14 days from the date of exposure.
- Anyone who has visited a Tier 2 exposure site during times listed should urgently get a test and isolate until they receive a negative result.
- Anyone who has visited a Tier 3 exposure site during times listed should monitor for symptoms - If symptoms develop, immediately get tested and isolate until you receive a negative result.
If you have been to an exposure site, are a close contact of a confirmed case, or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste – get a test immediately. Find out where to get tested HERE.
While Victoria works to get more people vaccinated, you can stay safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 metres from others. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, you must get tested and stay home.
Click HERE to view our frequently asked questions.
Click HERE to view all COVID resources, including the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan.
We encourage our members to stay connected and prioritise their mental health. Please view mental health resources on our website HERE, including information from Beyond Blue, Headspace, Kids Helpline, Lifeline and R U OK?
To view more COVID-19 resources from the Victorian Government, click HERE.