Acting Premier James Merlino said the Victorian government hoped to increase sports stadium capacity to 100 per cent, but would not commit to increasing the attendance cap before the traditional Anzac Day AFL clash.
“That’s everyone’s aim and ambition that we go from 75 per cent to 100 per cent,” he said. “We all want to see that change. It’s all about contact tracing … and the ability for public health to contact trace.”
The first Anzac day clash between Essendon and Collingwood in 1995 attracted a packed house. It is still uncertain if that will be allowed to happen this year.Credit:John Woudstra
The current stadium capacity in Victoria is 75 per cent, and the AFL has previously said it was hopeful of being able to fill the MCG for the match between Essendon and Collingwood.
But Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said last month that it would be “pretty tricky” to fill large venues such as the MCG to 100 per cent and still maintain separate zones.
“I think, for very large venues, getting to 100 per cent is pretty tricky. You’ve got to maintain those hard zones so you do need that space to be able to have the infrastructure to separate people,” he said in March.
The AFL announced a ticketing data collection trial would be in place for two matches in Victoria in round five, to “assist the league in getting back to 100 per cent capacity” for matches in the state.
Anyone purchasing tickets for Carlton’s match against Port Adelaide at the MCG or the Western Bulldogs’ match against Gold Coast at Marvel Stadium will be required to enter the name and contact number of each person attending the match.
Previously, people buying tickets would only need to enter one person’s details in the attending group.
The AFL said the aim was to best assist with contact tracing and that fans could be contacted faster and more efficiently in the event of a COVID-related outbreak.
“A successful trial further mitigates community risk and assists the AFL’s case to get back towards 100 per cent capacity in venues for matches,” the statement said.
Victoria recorded no new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday. There were 10,338 test results processed and 2,426 vaccine jabs administered.
There remain three active cases across the state, all in hotel quarantine.
More to come
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