The Victorian Government announced today it will enter a State of Disaster from 6:00 PM tonight in addition to the State of Emergency for Victoria in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews this afternoon engaged Stage Three restrictions across regional Victoria and upgraded restrictions for Melbourne to Stage Four.
Baseball Victoria confirms the cessation of non-contact senior training and full-contact junior training and competition in regional Victoria (including Mitchell Shire) in conjunction with the return to Stage Three “Stay at Home” restrictions.
Given the current climate and the upcoming changes, Baseball Victoria has decided to cancel all baseball activities in regional Victoria from 6:00 PM this evening. In anticipation of the return to Stage Three lockdown, it is not necessary for regional baseball clubs to conduct training and in the interest of everyone’s safety, all training and games scheduled for Monday, 3 August and Tuesday, 4 August are cancelled.
Stage Three and Stage Four restrictions mean there is no baseball training, games, in-person meetings or club events. The regional Victoria junior competitions and senior non-contact training sessions now cease. With regional Victoria ceasing their junior competitions, it is unlikely that competition will be able to return after this six-week lockdown, therefore the winter associations are discussing the options available to them, and we will provide an update early this week.
Baseball Victoria is in regular communication with winter associations and winter/summer clubs to discuss the ever-changing landscape and how COVID-19 developments impact our sport, including the effect on the 2020/2021 VSBL season of summer baseball and our participation in national pathway events.
The Victorian Government’s updated restrictions will be in place for the next six weeks. The Victorian Government will continue to monitor the restrictions and any changes will be made in line with the advice from health experts, and Baseball Victoria will remain in regular contact with Sport and Recreation Victoria and Vicsport to provide clarification for our members.
From 6:00 PM tonight, Melbourne will move to Stage Four restrictions with stronger rules to limit the movement of people:
- That includes a curfew – from 8:00 PM to 5:00 AM – beginning tonight. The only reasons to leave home during these hours will be work, medical care and caregiving.
- Exercise will be limited to a maximum of one hour per day and no more than five kilometres from your home. Group size will be limited to a maximum of two, whether you live with them or not.
- Shopping will be limited to one person per household per day. Again, the five-kilometre rule will apply.
- Face coverings will continue to be compulsory.
From 11:59 PM on Wednesday, regional Victoria (including Mitchell Shire) will return to Stage Three restrictions, including:
- There are only four reasons to be out: shopping for food and essential items, care and caregiving, daily exercise and work and study if you can’t do it from home.
- Restaurants and cafes can only offer delivery and takeaway. Entertainment, cultural venues, beauty and personal services will need to close. Community sport will need to stop.
- Face coverings will continue to be compulsory.
For further details on the latest announcements, please visit the official website of the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services HERE and Sport and Recreation Victoria HERE.
“As the COVID-19 pandemic develops, there are many changes that impact our Victorian baseball community, and we recognise how challenging this situation is for everyone,” Baseball Victoria CEO Kristie Middleton said. “As much as we miss baseball, our top priority is the health and wellbeing of our community. Staying home keeps everyone safe, and we will be here to support our Victorian baseballers during this difficult time.”
Baseball Victoria reminds members of the importance of checking in with one another and asking Are You Okay? A simple conversation can make a big difference during challenging situations. For more details on mental health resources and staying safe and healthy, please check out our COVID-19 resources page HERE.
Baseball Victoria awaits further updates on new workplace restrictions tomorrow, however the Baseball Victoria team of staff remains working from home as they have done throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The Baseball Victoria Aces Academy will continue to be conducted online.
While we stay at home, we have a wide variety of training resources, most notably our At-Home Training Drills and Exercises on the BV TV YouTube channel.
Please view the Baseball Victoria COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions HERE for details on the shutdown of baseball activity as well as COVID-19 health questions, face masks and much more.
As a reminder, the COVIDSafe app is now available and will allow authorities to quickly track and control the spread of COVID-19. Please consider downloading the app to help save lives, protect the community and get baseball back as soon as possible. Click HERE to learn more.
For up-to-date information on keeping your family safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, including healthy hygiene, social distancing and face masks, please visit the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services website HERE.
All further updates from Baseball Victoria will be available on the Baseball Victoria website and will also be communicated by the Baseball Victoria social media channels.
If you have any questions please contact Baseball Victoria, with full contact details available HERE.