The Melbourne Cricket Club, managers of the Melbourne Cricket Ground, will join leading sports and entertainment businesses from across the globe to help map out a safe return to live events in the wake of COVID-19.
At a national level, MCC CEO Stuart Fox will join the Live Entertainment Industry Forum (LEIF), which aims to support the safe reactivation of events with live audiences across Australia as restrictions ease from mid-2020 onwards.The Australian sports and entertainment industry was amongst the first to shut down as a result of COVID-19 and is likely to be one of the last to fully reopen.
As a member of the LEIF Executive Committee, the MCC will work alongside representatives from major Australian stadiums, entertainment organisations and industry associations to develop industry-wide measures regarding cleaning and sanitisation, crowd management, physical distancing plans, health monitoring and contact tracing.
Chaired by former Cricket Australia CEO, James Sutherland, the forum will also work in conjunction with governments, sporting bodies, venues and audiences to build confidence in the industry’s preparedness to operate safely, flexibly and sustainably.
The MCC is also proud to join the WELL Advisory on Sports and Entertainment Venues – a global initiative bringing together industry experts to develop guidance to support the reopening of major event venues.
The advisory aims to advance the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management, an evidence-based, third-party verified rating focusing on guidelines for operational policies, cleaning protocols and design strategies to address a post COVID-19 pandemic environment.
The MCC, represented by Peter Wearne, General Manager of Facilities, will share insights and ideas regarding the protocols and strategies that large stadiums will need to implement in order to provide a safe environment for players, officials and fans.
MCC CEO Stuart Fox said the Club was pleased to be joining other industry leaders to navigate a path to bring sports and entertainment back to life.
“COVID-19 has had an incredible impact on not just our industry, but the hundreds of thousands of people who support it – from the footy fans who head to the game every weekend, the security and event staff scanning attendees as they arrive, to the student who works weekend shifts at a stadium catering outlet.
“We are eager to work with other organisations as well as Government and the relevant health authorities to develop guidelines that will allow people to return safely to sport and events,” he said.
“Live events connect people, and whilst we understand and respect the current need for restrictions and social distancing, we are looking forward to the day when we can once again bring people together at the ‘G.”
