A mandate from the Victorian government will mean that all AFL players and staff in the state will have two weeks to receive at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose in order to continue training and working at their respective clubs.
The announcement affects both AFL and AFLW players and staff, with mid-October the deadline for them to get vaccinated after the government redefined their rules around "authorised workers".
Previously they could work and play at the clubs as authorised workers even through the recent COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown, however on Friday that changed.
"The AFL has this afternoon written to all Victorian based clubs to provide an update following the Victorian Government announcement that all workers on the Authorised Workers list in Victoria will require their first COVID-19 vaccine dose by Friday 15 October in order to continue to work onsite at their workplaces and will need to be fully vaccinated by Friday 26 November," the AFL said in a statement.
"Under applicable Victorian Government directions relating to COVID-19, only Authorised Workers can attend their workplaces and are exempt from the general requirement that Victorian workers must work from home at this time.
"AFL and AFLW players and football program staff of Victorian AFL Clubs are recognised as Authorised Workers and have been able to attend their Clubs and other premises to work (including by training and playing) under that exemption.
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"This new vaccination requirement for Authorised Workers will apply to all AFLW and AFL players and football program staff of Victorian AFL Clubs, as well as a small number of other people in the AFL industry.
"The AFL is awaiting formal Government directions on next steps and the AFL will work with Clubs, the AFLPA and the broader AFL industry in the coming period so that we are ready for this important change, including with respect to the logistics of proof of vaccination."
Several players have been vocal in encouraging AFL fans to get vaccinated, but the AFL is still working through details on its own vaccination policy for the league nationwide.
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