Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Victoria records two new cases of COVID-19 linked to AFL fixture at the MCG

Victoria records two new cases of COVID-19 linked to AFL fixture at the MCG
July 16, 2021

Victoria has recorded two new cases of COVID-19 linked to last Saturday’s AFL Round 17 match between Carlton and Geelong at the MCG.

Victorian COVID-19 Commander Jeroen Weimar confirmed the latest two new cases - linked to level two of the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC) member’s reserve - on Thursday afternoon.

Commander Weimar said the two new cases - one a minor and the other an adult - were sitting apart from each other and there was no obvious relationship between them, advising “this is possibly two examples of stranger-to-stranger transmission between the individuals that we know about.

"We do not believe they are known contacts of the other two positive cases we know were there.

"That gives us significant cause for concern."

Commander Weimar said contact tracers had burnt through seven rings of connections, which he described as the fastest response ever seen to an outbreak, adding “what we've got is two separate incursions into Victoria over the last three or four days, two chains of transmission, at least one is moving very actively and very aggressively across the state.”

As of this morning, the MCC, as ground managers of the MCG, has issued as statement about venue patrons who attended the 10th July match having since tested positive to COVID-19.

The statement advises “it has been identified that the patrons sat in the Melbourne Cricket Club Members’ Reserve at the MCG. The MCC Members’ Reserve operates as its own zone compared to the rest of the Ground, is only accessible via Gate 2 and is classified as Zone 2 within the MCG’s COVID-19 operations.

“MCC members and their guests who attended Saturday’s Carlton v Geelong Cats match have been asked to follow the health directive to get tested urgently, isolate until they receive the test results and adhere to any further advice from the Department of Health.”

The statement continues:

“Individuals seated in the affected sections are in the process of being contacted directly by the Victorian Department of Health. Some staff and patrons present at Saturday’s Carlton v Geelong Cats match have already been made Tier 1 primary close contacts, and have been directly contacted by the (Victorian) Department of Health. Additional Tier 1 primary close contacts are being identified and contacted.

 “The Percy Beames Bar on Level 2 of the Members’ Reserve is now a Tier 1 exposure site between 4:00 and 4:30pm, and between 5:20 and 5:50pm, on Saturday July 10. If any patrons were here during any of those times, they must immediately isolate, get a test, and quarantine for 14 days following the exposure.

“All sections of the Members’ Reserve between the hours of 4:00pm and 8:00pm on Saturday July 10 - not just Level 2 - are now a Tier 2 exposure site. If patrons attended the game on Saturday in these sections, they will be contacted by the Department of Health to advise them if they are a Tier 1 or Tier 2 contact - please continue to isolate until contacted.

“Other people who attended Saturday’s match but were not in the MCC Members' Reserve are advised to monitor for symptoms and get tested if they become unwell.

“The Route 70 tram departing Flinders St/Swanston St at 3:46pm and arriving at the MCG at 3:53pm is a Tier 1 exposure site. So is the tram stop on Flinders St, at the corner of Swanston, for the four minutes before departure. If patrons heading to the MCG or any individuals were on this tram, they must immediately isolate, get a test, and quarantine for 14 days following the exposure - and contact the Department of Health at 1300 651 160. If unsure, contact the Department and get a test.

“The train after the game from Jolimont Station to Flinders St - departing 7:13pm and arriving 7:20pm - is a Tier 2 exposure site, as is the Jolimont train platform from 7:05 to 7:17pm. If patrons travelling from the MCG or any individuals were on the train or platform in those times, immediately isolate, get a test, and stay isolated until they receive a negative result. If unsure, get tested.

“Young and Jackson, at the corner of Flinders and Swanston St, between 2:40pm and 4:10pm on Saturday July 10, is a Tier 1 exposure site. If individuals attended before the game during these times, they must immediately isolate, get a test and quarantine for 14 days following the exposure.

“The MCC has worked closely with the AFL in developing a COVIDSafe Event Plan for the 2021 AFL Premiership Season which was endorsed by the Victorian Government’s Department of Health. The MCG’s COVIDSafe Event Plan outlines specific measures to reduce the potential risk of COVID-19 transmission, including the sectioning of the Ground into five zones to limit patron movement and the implementation of the Victorian Government QR system for contact tracing purposes.

“Extensive cleaning of the MCG takes place after each event and, out of an abundance of caution, a deep clean of the identified areas took place yesterday. During an event, constant touchpoint cleaning occurs and over 275 hand sanitising stations are located throughout the MCG for patron use.

“The MCC is committed to protecting the on-going wellbeing of those who visit the MCG and will continue to work closely with the Department of Health on our COVIDSafe event plans for the MCG.”

Related Articles

1st July 2021 - Venues in regional Victoria see prospects for hosting AFL Premiership fixtures

30th June 2021 - State lockdowns sees all 18 AFL clubs relocate to Victoria

16th June 2021 - COVID-19 lockdown sees AFL move Melbourne fixtures to Tasmania

7th June 2021 - AFL hits Adelaide Crows with $50,000 fine following breach of COVID-19 protocols

28th May 2021 - Victorian COVID lockdown forces AFL to change weekend fixture plans

6th May 2021 - AFL clubs reach one million members for 2021

2nd May 2021 - Coronavirus fears sees fans barred from AFL western derby at Perth’s Optus Stadium

6th July 2021 - Border uncertainty forces cancellation of Melbourne Formula 1 Grand Prix

15th June 2021 - Uncertainty over return of crowds at regional Victorian sporting leagues

13th April 2021 - Uncertainty over Victorian stadia returning to full capacity

21st April 2021 - Sports Environment Alliance to stage 2021 awards ceremony at the MCG

7th April 2021 - AFLW grand final to be staged as standalone event with MCG a possible venue

11th March 2021 - AFL aims for 2021 grand final to return as a full capacity daytime fixture at the MCG

26th February 2021 - MCG set to welcome 50,000 fans for AFL season opener

23rd February 2021 - 2021 State of Origin series opener to be played at the MCG


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

InterQuad (International Quadratics) 

InterQuad (International Quadratics)  With a combined legacy spanning over 150 years, International Quadratics (founded in 1976) and Pierce Pool Supplies (originally established in 1898 as A H…

read more

Aquatics / Safety / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Chadson Engineering Pty Ltd

Australia’s leading manufacturer of horizontal and vertical media filters suited to all types of commercial pools, water playgrounds marine parks, aquaculture and zoos. They are an ideal…

read more

Aquatics / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Clubware

Clubware’s online gym software is not your run of the mill management system. It has been carefully designed to incorporate all the elements that a fitness club would need. How did we do that?…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Quayclean

Quayclean are a national cleaning and waste services partner with proven results in the understanding and delivery of cleaning needs and challenges faced by facilities including; major venues and…

read more

Aquatics / Hospitality / Surfaces / Venues

 
 

The Pool Enclosure Company

Now TPEC Pool Enclosures - see www.ausleisure.com.au/suppliers/tpec-pool-enclosures

read more

Aquatics / Design / Recreation / Venues

 
 

XBODY Australia Pty Ltd

PROVEN BUSINESS CONCEPTS WITH XBODY XBody’s goal is to see you and your EMS business succeed. That is why we don’t just sell equipment, we provide know-how, expert knowledge, business support…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

iDwala Pty Ltd

iDwala is the Community Sports Facility Specialist offering the highest quality designs and technical expertise to Councils, Schools and Sporting Clubs looking to create sporting…

read more

Consultants / Design / Recreation / Sport / Surfaces

 
 

Humanforce

Humanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Technology / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business