Spectators will be barred from entering the change rooms for at least the beginning of the 2021 Ballarat Football Netball League and Central Highlands Football League seasons under sweeping return-to-play protocols.

Under AFL Victoria guidelines, based on state government advice, only players and essential staff will be permitted to enter the change rooms on game day.

The protocol also prohibits access to parents before and after junior games.

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BFNL general manager Shane Anwyl said the league was happy to follow the governing body's advice.

"It was a recommendation, and we support it. For clubs to easily manage it, we've imposed it across the league," he said.

"I think the big issue is around the density of the change rooms. At best, they'll be able to cater for the players.

"So, we've followed the advice of AFL Victoria, and it's a blanket ban on spectators, parents and the like from being in the change rooms."

Anwyl said the door could be opened - literally - if COVID-19 restrictions continued to ease statewide.

"As circumstances change and restrictions might ease from the government, then we'll review (the protocol)," he said. "The by-laws we put in place this year are living documents, so to speak. So they're able to be updated and tailored to whatever the circumstances are at the time."

Spectators will be allowed on to the ground during the quarter-time breaks to hear the coaches' addresses.

However, players and spectators are being encouraged to maintain social distancing whenever possible.

Last month, it was announced that up to 5000 spectators would be allowed to attend country football games under the latest re-vamp of the return-to-play protocols.

To date, AFL Victoria has released 10 versions of its protocols and scrapped its most controversial rules - including a ban on high-fives and handshakes and a requirement that only one parent attends children's games.

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Despite the easing of restrictions, Anwyl said the BFNL was still encouraging its junior teams to limit the time spent at the ground.

"In junior ranks, there is a recommendation that players arrive ready to play and leave not long after," he said.

"If they need to shower or change, it's recommended they do that at home.

"We'll provide a little bit of leniency depending on the weather conditions and the like. So, we might need to manage that on the day but generally that's what the process will be."

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