Limits on crowds at local football and netball matches are set to skyrocket, with the government confirming crowds of under 5000 will no longer require approval if that number is less than 75 per cent capacity.
Clubs will need to lodge a COVIDSafe Event Plan with the Public Events team and complete an attestation form confirming that necessary measures are in place to ensure the event is held in a COVIDSafe manner.
“Football and netball clubs across Victoria can now plan for matches to be played with up to 5000 people in attendance, without seeking formal approval,” a government spokesperson said.
“This change reflects the current public health conditions in Victoria and the assessment that football/netball matchdays are low-risk events.”
The news is being warmly greeted across the region.
“It's a huge relief,” Echuca United president Ian Johnson said.
“Knowing that we can have our people come into the ground this season, watch our teams play and be a part of our club really does mean a lot to us.
“The supporters are the lifeblood of our club, so we can't wait to see them back.”
Some clubs had already applied for crowd exemptions for games throughout the season, but these will no longer be necessary.
Echuca president Ash Byrne said the news came at a great time.
“With Easter coming up it allows our locals to plan around going to local sport for the weekend,” he said.
“And for the rest of the season it allows us to throw the gates open and have our community back at the ground which means everything to us.”
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