Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed on Sunday that more restrictions will ease at 11.59pm on Thursday 21 October 2021 as Victoria reaches its 70 percent double dose vaccination target. This means lockdown will end in metropolitan Melbourne and Mildura and restrictions will ease further in regional Victoria as the state continues to make progress toward the 80 percent double dose vaccination target.
Following this announcement, Baseball Victoria is planning for a return to training from Friday 22 October, pending vaccination status confirmation. We are seeking further clarification from the Victorian Government on vaccination requirements for community sport before return to training registration can open.
Baseball Victoria follows all Victorian Government guidelines, and while it is not yet clear whether the return to community sport will be open to all participants or only those who are fully vaccinated, this is a possibility based on requirements for similar industries and activities. Currently, participants may return to training in regional Victoria regardless of vaccination status so long as they are registered and within the minimum number required to train.
Once the updated Restricted Activity Directions are released, we can confirm the return to training guidelines and open registration.
The Victorian Government has confirmed that community volunteers, including those at local sporting clubs, must be fully vaccinated as per the CHO COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions (No. 3). Section 20 outlines requirements for physical recreation workers and COVID-19 Vaccination Activities Directions (No. 3) - section 40 defines a worker as a volunteer. Clubs are responsible for storing volunteer vaccination information and all volunteers must be registered with Baseball Victoria. Click HERE to view the mandatory vaccination directions.
As part of Victoria’s Roadmap to Deliver the National Plan, the changes coming into effect at 11:59pm on Thursday 21 October in metropolitan Melbourne include:
- Reasons to leave home and curfew no longer in place
- 10 people including dependents can visit your home per day
- Pubs, clubs, and entertainment venues can open to 20 fully vaccinated people indoors and 50 outdoors
- 15 people can gather outdoors, community sport training returns for the minimum required to hold training
Please note masks will still be required both indoors and outdoors for all Victorians, and Service Victoria QR code check-ins are also required for businesses, including community sport organisations.
In regional Victoria, indoor settings – like restaurants, cafes and gyms – will increase from 10 to 30 people per venue, if everyone is fully vaccinated. Outdoor venues will increase from 20 to up to 100 people per venue, but only if everyone is fully vaccinated. If vaccination status is unknown, the venue can only have a total of 20 people. The limited return to outdoor community sport training will continue under current guidelines unless there are any further changes confirmed by the Victorian Government.
“It’s wonderful to hear about lockdown ending, something many Victorians have been waiting for. We know our Victorian baseball community is excited to get back to baseball, and we are looking forward to confirming our return to training as soon as possible,” Baseball Victoria Interim CEO Gemma Scales said. “Like other grassroots sports, we are awaiting further clarification and once we have confirmation from the Victorian Government, we can move forward with our plans get back on the diamond and prepare for a safe and successful baseball season.”
According to our key roadmap milestones and meeting the 70% vaccination target early, we are on track for a 13 November VSBL start date. As a reminder, below are the milestones we need to reach to get the VSBL season up and running:
- 26-29 October - 70% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated (expected to reach this target on 21 October)
- Yes: return to training commences with 13 November start date
- No: shift to 4 December start date with a delayed return to training
- 5 November – 80% of eligible Victorians fully vaccinated
- Yes: proceed with 13 November start date
- No: training may commence with 4 December start date, or if there is still no training, push back to a January VSBL start
As VSBL clubs in regional Victoria, Ballarat Royals, Geelong Baycats, and Mitchell Majors may train currently, and all players must complete the return to training registration for regional Victoria. Clubs must maintain an attendance register and COVID-19 restriction compliance documentation.
Baseball Victoria continues to seek clarification from Vicsport and Sport & Recreation Victoria on the COVIDSafe measures required to resume community sport training and play. These additional details will guide an updated version of the Baseball Victoria Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan in the coming days.
Baseball Victoria will provide further updates this week regarding return to training requirements, registration, Aces Academy training, COVIDSafe guidelines, and more.
To read the Premier’s full announcement, click HERE.
To track Victoria’s progress toward vaccination targets and view COVID resources, click HERE.
COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for all Victorians aged 12 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.
You can download your vaccination certificate to the Service Victoria check-in app. Click HERE for more details.
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 isolate, monitor for symptoms, and get tested as directed.
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.
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.