At 10 pm approximately on 26th May.
As most people are aware, earlier this morning it was reported that a spectator at the Cohuna vs. Tooleybuc Manangatang game at Cohuna on Saturday (May 22) has tested positive for COVID19.
While the league have still not received anything official from the Department of Health and Human Services, they have now listed Cohuna Recreation Reserve as a Tier 2 exposure site, with the individual attending multiple netball games, as well as the indoor canteen and public toilets.
Per the Government requirements, anyone who attended the Cohuna vs. Tooleybuc Manangatang games between 12pm and 5pm on the weekend should urgently get tested and isolate until a negative result is obtained.
The Board have held an emergency web meeting where the impact of today’s announcement regarding the positive COVID19 attendee at the Cohuna v Tooleybuc Manangatang was discussed; given the testing and isolation restrictions for the Tooleybuc Manangatang players and supporters after their exposure on the weekend, it is not feasible for the club to meet the mandatory requirements in time for the scheduled Lake Boga vs. Tooleybuc Manangatang this weekend.
Based on principle 5 of the attached COVID19 Framework, which was approved at the last Board meeting and due to be released to clubs, the scheduled Round 7 game between Lake Boga and Tooleybuc Manangatang will be abandoned. This game will not be rescheduled for a later date, unless an agreement on a date, venue and times for all teams to compete can be reached between the clubs, and approved by the Board, by 5pm Friday, May 26th. Should the Clubs not come to an agreement prior to the deadline, both teams will receive 2 points and the average percentage from the remaining games of the round.
While the Board hopes that this will be an isolated incident, should any further occurrences of this nature come about, the framework will provide the basis for any decisions made regarding the cancellation of games or impacts on the remainder of the season.
At this stage, all other games will be able to proceed relatively normal, albeit with a few minor restrictions (on top of the “normal” requirements):
- Per the new restrictions regarding Greater Melbourne released on Monday; Melbourne players can play but must adhere by the restrictions currently in place in Melbourne; they should arrive, play and leave, with no gathering in groups of more than 30, other than on the field and a mask should be worn at all times in public.
- Any players who are entering NSW who have visited a place of high concern (casual contact place) must return a negative COVID19 test before entering, as well as adhering to the above point.
- Any players who have visited a place of high concern (close contact) must not enter NSW.
Point 2 and 3 are also highly recommended for any players from Melbourne who are attending Victorian games.
Now is also a good time to remind clubs to go over the current Return to Play guidelines that were sent out as part of the Weekly Update a few weeks ago. Of particular importance is the COVIDsafe plan and the QR/Check In requirements. All clubs must ensure that they are meeting these requirements, as the impacts, as well as the fines, may be significant if clubs are found to be non-compliant.
This information is current as of 10pm on May 26, however, given the speed at which directives seem to be evolving, things may change at any time. Any further information or updates to rules will be distributed to clubs as it becomes available.
Taylah Morris | Central Rivers Leagues’ Manager | AFL Central Victoria.
