Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has given the state’s 10 AFL clubs special exemptions to train in large groups, provided they are contained to exclusive facilities.

But the Victorian clubs could be forced to wait for interstate rivals to be granted similar exemptions from their state governments.

Until now, the AFL has limited all players to training in pairs despite some state governments – such as South Australia and Western Australia – allowing for larger groups.

The limit was the cause of some angst amongst clubs but was defended by the AFL as being imposed for the sake of competitive fairness.

Andrews on Monday announced changes to Victoria’s coronavirus restrictions, which will officially be in place by 11.59pm on Tuesday and run until May 31.

The changes included matching other states’ limits of 10 people for outdoor activities, which Andrews said included “kicking a footy”.

But the Victorian premier went further for professional AFL clubs, saying they could operate in larger groups provided their training venues were not accessible to anyone not associated with their organisations.

“If they are using a training facility or a gym or an outdoor area, it must be exclusively for them,” Andrews said.

“We can’t have a situation where there is a carve-out for professional sport because of their workplace, because it’s basically our job, we can’t have a carve-out and then have other people not connected to that sport intermingling, if you like.

“This is about containment. It is about managing the risk.

“In the event that there are positive tests, we are in a strong position to be able to contact trace and take appropriate public health measures are deemed so.

“This is exclusively for those sports, and they need to have control the space therein and they need to listen to the advice of the chief health officers, but a very positive partnership, not just with footy, but with rugby league, other codes, and I’m confident that they understand that there are risks.”

The AFL Commission will meet on Monday to finalise its return-to-play plan, which will not be announced until Tuesday afternoon at the earliest.

Clubs are hopeful a season resumption can occur as early as mid-June.