Victorian sports stadiums are overhauling their COVIDSafe plans as the AFL and Victorian Government face a delicate task re-introducing crowds to games.
The current Delta outbreak has spread to fans on different levels of AAMI Park during the Wallabies-France game and also between fans in separate bays of the MCG during the Carlton-Geelong match.
Victoria’s Health Department signed off on crowds of up to 85 per cent earlier this year, but recent transmission in open-air stadiums has dramatically changed the landscape and cast renewed doubt on crowds and the MCG’s ability to again retain the Grand Final.
The Melbourne Cricket Club, on behalf of the MCG, is understood to already be working on a new Covid plan for spectators at the footy.
Sources have confirmed new entry parameters could include:
No food or drink on sale inside stadiums.
Masks to be worn at all-times.
Staggered entry times to avoid queueing.
A bigger spread of seating.
Fans who attended Euro 2020 matches at Wembley were required to show vaccine passports or proof of a negative test in order to gain entry. But at this stage there is nothing to suggest such measures will be put in place here.
After being forced to hand over last year’s AFL Grand Final to Queensland, the Victorian Government is under pressure to retain the 2021 decider.
It is said that a crowd of 60,000 is the benchmark to keep the game at the MCG, which has a contract to host the Grand Final until 2058 – a year longer than originally agreed given the Gabba hosted the 2020 Grand Final.
Losing the Grand Final for a second consecutive year would be a major blow to a Victorian major event landscape under siege.
The Victorian Government earlier this month cancelled this year’s Formula 1 Grand Prix and MotoGP, citing a slow vaccine rollout and the federal government’s decision to halve its cap on international arrivals.
The Australian Open is also under renewed threat.