An NSW government letter shows the NRL can return despite coronavirus restrictions provided it meets a number of safe workplace requirements.
The letter, dated April 8 and signed off by NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller to ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys, was in response to a question of whether the game could restart without crowds.
The document, which has been obtained by AAP, is on an NSW State Emergency Operation Centre letterhead and says players can travel to and from games and training for work.
It also states other directions must be complied with, including not having more than 500 people in stadiums and the venues being big enough to ensure safety for all workers.
Any player who contracts the virus must also be quarantined until they are cleared medically.
The letter pertains only to NSW-based teams as they fall within the government’s jurisdiction, but the NRL is working to ensure other clubs are able to travel to the state for games.
“In addition, the competition organisers must comply with all the existing State and Federal Work, Health and Safety requirements and ensure that a safe workplace is maintained for all participants,” the letter reads.
“In summary, subject to the compliance with the matters dealt with above, the NSW Health Minister’s Directions would not preclude the commencement of the modified NRL competition.”
V’landys also told AAP on Saturday the league would be happy to talk with NSW Health further about the game’s return, but believed the letter gave it the green light to resume.
It comes after NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian claimed on Saturday she had not yet approved a return, but said the NRL was not on a list of forced closures.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard also said the issue was a matter for NSW Health and not politicians.
Speaking again on Saturday, the minister said the NRL had to have a discussion with NSW Health to see if it could return next month safely.
“If he (Hazzard) says we have to, we will, but I have letters saying we can (return),” V’landys said.
“We’ll do anything the state government requires us to do, but we are still of the firm view that we have permission in writing and it’s in the health order.
“I totally understand how busy they are so, accordingly, I don’t expect them to know all the detail.
“But we’re comfortable we have permission both in writing and in the health order.”
The governing body has been spurred on by a March 31 public health order which prevents people staying on premises but excludes events such as sport or racing.
V’landys told AAP he’d emailed the State Emergency Operations Centre after that, prompting the response.
Players will be asked to undertake a number of biosecurity measures when the game returns, including around hygiene, self-isolation and temperature checks.
V’landys’ comments came after the health minister said he also hoped sport could return, but only once given the tick by authorities.
“It’s a ‘have a discussion with health authorities to see if it can be done safely’,” Hazzard said on Saturday.
“If it is possible for a sport, any sport, to operate in a safe way, that’s a question for health authorities – not politicians.
“The government did not stop rugby league from playing – rugby league stopped rugby league from playing (last month when the competition was suspended).
“We haven’t actually taken any steps one way or the other.”
InFerno
Roar Rookie
Yes but Anna won’t allow any QLD teams to travel in it unless the Health Minister says it ok.
Peter
Guest
How many times do you need to be told that this is not flu, bat or otherwise?
Big Daddy
Guest
Just been reading the NRL website and it says that Mick Fuller has given approval to proceed with plans . Proceeding with plans is a little bit different to starting the comp but then again it could change on the smoke and mirrors website. Then you have CEO (South's) Blake Solly criticizing any body who speaks out against this decision. Every one is different and has a different opinion as this is a very touchy topic with public and fans . Personally I would like to wipe season but would accept July 1 start as some clubs could go broke. If NRL has borrowed money be up front about it, this is the transparency fans want and be honest about the agreement with the police commissioner.
Ball Burster
Roar Rookie
A careful reading of the letter makes it clear that the NRL is just being told by the wallopers what the rules are. It is by no means an all clear. Besides, my understanding is that it's only the NSW Health Minister that can issue a specific exemption under the orders.
peter ostle
Guest
Dear Henrik, you seem to think all the players and officials live in one state they do not. Further, as has been iterated since the outbreak 20% of people who get the virus do not suffer any problems with it: for them it seems to be a slight cold, but they can pass it on. Further, given many want a 'proper' competition, with no asterisk, then having only NSW teams, with NSW players, will mean the winner will not win the NRL but the NSW table. From Australia's history remember smallpox that devastated the aborigine community did not affect the invaders from Europe as they had acquired better immunity.
HENRIK
Guest
seems to be a lot of jealousy from the AFL and their fans/media. there is no difference from the NRL resuming if SD is followed to all the work places and shops that are open. If your not affected you cant pass it on. All the NRL has to do is play the games in NSW and if any club wants to sit it out then let them and run the season with the teams that do. AFL and media just come across as drama queens to me
Big Daddy
Guest
The May 28 date was probably predicted when they found they had some external funding. Next step is the health approval which seems is the issue. I'm not 100% convinced that they have it because different states have different restrictions.
mama
Guest
If the Health authorities give the OK and NRL/Broadcaster player gets sick and gives it later to an elderly relative they can partly absolve themselves from blame.
mama
Guest
They can plan to start on a certain date and if on that date they get the tick to start they can start that's all its saying - but they cant train at the moment as a team so they are kidding themselves that they have the green light. My guess is that the NRL are using this to say to the broadcasters we are ready to start , have the green light and then when they stop us later they can use that as evidence in any bunfight over TV rights money payments. If they are fining people for sitting on a park bench then the NRL would be a bad signal and cause a lot of bad blood.
peter ostle
Guest
Dear Hard Yards, from the stats COVID-19 seems to hit men, more than women [70% to 30%], men who have a BMI of close to, or above, 25 and the age range who have the highest death rate 50 and 60 yrs old. The old due to many being in closed environments may be better than those age groups just below them who are still on the whole seen as being still in the working population.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
It will be shown on SBS & screened worldwide in all languages. A ratings winner. The AFL may have made inroads into China (don't suppose they will be going back there anytime soon) however Todd & Peter will make NRL the World Game. Household names Ronaldo & Messi will be replaced by Milford & Dugan. NRL will be rolling in money & can then employ even more staff. WIN WIN Situation.
Chase those Roos
Roar Rookie
You can't tell me this isn't desperation
Bob
Guest
If the NRL do pull this off, which I doubt they will, where are channel nine at in these negotiations? From what I can see the NRL can make all the claims they want of restarting but if they aren't supported by a broadcaster and aren't playing to crowds where is the cash coming from?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Yeah maybe. I reckon the kindies, and the first and last year (big tests this year) of high school as a minimum. But really, kids can be carriers but they don’t get any sicker than with the other things they routinely get. We should have their interest at heart. Kinds are fine. Old blokes like me? Well basically I don’t give a rat’s anyway, I want to enjoy whatever time I have left, but other old people might want to stay locked up. It’s a free country.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I’m standing outside the lobby
Rellum
Roar Guru
This is what I keep saying. ANYONE who might need to come in contact with the players will have to enter the bubble and not come out. If they were smart some could work remotely but Docs, Physio's, coaches, hotel staff, refs, Broadcast crew and many others would need to join the players in the quarantine followed by bubble isolation. The list would go on and on and on. All without their families it seems. It would be like a giant bio-sphere experiment.
Big Daddy
Guest
When they get off the plane do they take a bus but keep social distancing, can't get more than 1 in a cab, or take a train like everyone else and run the risk.
peter ostle
Guest
If schools re-open it will be the younger age groups first, as this will ease the pressure on essential workers juggling 'home' schooling and work. It will be driven as well by data appearing to show this age group is better able to withstand acquiring COVID-19. It may at first be the schools will have half the students in the morning, and the other half in the afternoon, and with an amended curriculum. This may mean for students no sports, or for PE to be solo and not in teams. If the above 'works' then older students will be asked to go back to school.
Fix the scrums
Guest
Not sure how this playing in a bubble idea will work. Eg: If a player gets injured and has to leave the bubble for hospital treatment, the player and the paramedics who take the player to hospital won't be able to return until completing isolation. All the players, staff, coaches, camera crew and families etc will have to stay in isolation. There are so many ifs and buts about this bubble idea. It all looks a bit crazy and reeks of desperation.
Big Daddy
Guest
HY, maybe the clubs will reopen. That wouldn't be a bad thing. Ha Ha. :rugby: