Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, has confirmed that more restrictions will ease at 11.59 pm on Thursday 21 October 2021 as Victoria reaches its 70% double dose vaccination target.

This means that restrictions will ease further in regional Victoria, pending vaccination status confirmation, as the State continues to make progress toward the 80% double dose vaccination target. This will see an increase from 10 to 30 participants for training only in regional Victoria, subject to the density quotient. There is still no play allowed in metro Melbourne (until the 80% double dose vaccination threshold is reached).

Following this announcement, Table Tennis Victoria is seeking further clarification from the Victorian Government on vaccination requirements for community sport before then.

TTV follows all Victorian Government guidelines, and while it is not yet clear whether the return to community sport will be open to all participants or only those who are fully vaccinated, this is a possibility based on requirements for similar industries and activities.

Currently, participants may return to training in regional Victoria regardless of vaccination status.

Once the updated Restricted Activity Directions are released, we can confirm the return to training guidelines across Victoria.

IMPORTANT

The Victorian Government has confirmed that community volunteers, including those at local sporting clubs, must be fully vaccinated as per the CHO COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions (No. 3). Section 20 outlines requirements for physical recreation workers.

COVID-19 Vaccination Activities Directions (No. 3) - section 40 defines a worker as a volunteer. Clubs are responsible for storing workers' (and volunteer) vaccination information and all volunteers must be registered as workers/volunteers with their organisation.

Note that this requirement is currently only applicable to workers/volunteers, not participants – though this may change when further information is made available.

Click to view the mandatory vaccination directions.

The limited return to indoor community sports training will continue under current guidelines unless there are any further changes confirmed by the Victorian Government. TTV continues to seek clarification from Vicsport and Sport & Recreation Victoria on the COVIDSafe measures required to resume community sports training and play. These additional details will guide an updated version of the TTV Return to Play COVIDSafe Plan in the coming days.

Click to read the Premier’s full announcement,

To track Victoria’s progress toward vaccination targets and view COVID resources

COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for all Victorians aged 12 years and over. Getting vaccinated helps protect you from getting sick with COVID-19. The vaccines being used in Australia are safe, free, and very effective at preventing serious illness and loss of life from COVID-19.

Click to book your vaccine appointment.

You can download your vaccination certificate to the Service Victoria check-in app.

It remains very important that Victorians monitor for symptoms, get tested, and get vaccinated when eligible.

To stop the spread, everyone should check the list of exposure sites and isolate, monitor for symptoms, and get tested as directed.

If you have been to an exposure site, were in close contact with a confirmed case, or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19 – such as fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, chills or sweats, or change in sense of smell or taste – get a test immediately. Find out where to get tested

Stay safe by washing your hands regularly, wearing a face mask, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, and keeping at least 1.5 meters from others. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, you must get tested and stay home.

We encourage our members to stay connected and prioritise their mental health. Please view mental health resources including information from Beyond Blue, Headspace, Kids Helpline, Lifeline, and R U OK?

Click to view more COVID-19 resources from the Victorian Government,