The Victorian Government confirmed a slight easing of lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Ballarat after the state reached its 70 percent first dose vaccination target. These modest changes come into effect from 11.59pm on Friday 17 September and include expanding outdoor social interaction, exercise, the distance you can travel from home and more.
There are no changes to community sport, as all activity in lockdown areas remains cancelled. Baseball Victoria continues to closely monitor the situation and expects further clarification on Sunday with announcements on the Victorian Government’s roadmap to reopening, outlining vaccination targets and restrictions through to November.
From 11:59pm tonight, the lockdown restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Ballarat will be:
- Six reasons to leave home:
- shopping for necessary goods and services (within 10km radius of home unless not available within)
- four hours of exercise (within 10km 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
- outdoor social interaction (picnic, walk, or other outdoor activity) with another person not from your household. Up to five adults (plus dependents) from two households may gather outdoors if all adults are fully vaccinated.
- No public or private gatherings other than for permitted outdoor social interaction
- Two people may train outdoors with a personal trainer
- No community sport
- Masks must be worn both indoors and outdoors unless an exemption applies
- Daily curfew from 9pm – 5am (metropolitan Melbourne only)
As VSBL clubs in regional Victoria (apart from Ballarat), Geelong Baycats and Mitchell Majors may participate in community sport 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.
“It’s great to see the slight easing of restrictions for Victorians in lockdown as we focus on 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, and we are excited to get back to baseball 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.