NRL clubs based in NSW and the ACT will be sent back into a biosecurity bubble with hopes that travel to and from Queensland will be allowed to continue.
Players outside of Queensland were being notified by clubs on Tuesday afternoon that they are no longer allowed at cafes, restaurants or pubs, and restrictions on home visitors will resume.
It’s expected the new protocols will be enforced from Wednesday, while Queensland-based clubs will be unaffected.
It comes after ARLC chairman Peter V’landys sought advice from biosecurity experts on Tuesday morning after the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Queensland government declared anyone who resides in or has visited the Campbelltown or Liverpool areas in south-west Sydney in the past fortnight will not be allowed into the state.
Queenslanders who are returning after visiting the COVID-19 hotspots in Sydney will need to undergo hotel quarantine at their own expense.
It’s expected forcing players back into the bubble will reassure the Queensland government there is no danger in allowing travel to continue for NRL players between the states.
“We won’t take any risks with our players and the community,’” V’landys said in a statement.
“All our decisions are based on the data and we’ve said from the start, if the data changes then we will be proactive and take the necessary action required.
“We are enforcing the original protocols to ensure our players are not mixing with the general community.
“We are doing everything we can to keep the playing group healthy during this period.
“Our experts are continuing to monitor the data.
“We don’t make decisions based on emotion, we make them based on data.
“We hope it’s only a short spike in the infection rate, but the commission has shown we will be agile and make the appropriate changes.”
For now, at least, relocating the entire competition to Queensland is not being considered but remains an available option.
“We’re not moving to Queensland at this point but we’ve got to be prepared for all scenarios and naturally that’s one scenario,” V’landys told AAP.
“At this stage we just want to make sure we can get to and from Queensland.
“We believe we can, even from those postcodes.”
No games have been played at Campbelltown Stadium in the past 14 days, however, numerous NRL players reside in the area.
In round 10 there is only one game scheduled in Queensland, with Melbourne and Gold Coast to play on Friday night.
However, it will not be affected as both teams are already based in that state.
A Wests Tigers game against the Warriors scheduled to be played at Campbelltown Stadium on July 31 could be moved.
The latest developments come after a cluster of 28 cases of the virus have been linked to the Crossroads Hotel in Casula, while three NRL players were put into ‘COVID-hold’ away from their teams on Monday.
Nick
Roar Guru
Absolutely barking insane decision. Especially if they were going to be hopping on a bus to Sydney afterwards. Newcastle airport perhaps!?
Adam
Roar Guru
It's at pandemic proportions
Adam
Roar Guru
Of all the cities to try to fly to at the last minute
Adam
Roar Guru
They don't deserve recognition because of their nickname. The Dales!? I mean c'mon!!
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"What time do you start drinking?" Clearly not as early as you! ;)
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I must have missed when falling down stairs became highly contagious
clipper
Roar Rookie
Quite correct - if only we had followed what the US has been doing!
Nat
Roar Rookie
I'm glad these posts are time-stamped Crispy because my words have been marked! What time do you start drinking? :silly:
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"We could have a team in both!" :laughing:
Parasite
Roar Rookie
For goodness sake people stop living in fear. You could walk out the door and slip on the steps and kill yourself, should we ban stairs now? Maybe we should wear some blinkers when walking down said stairs eh, that'll be great for our health.
Nick
Roar Guru
Fortunately, not even the NRL could be stupid enough to organise evening flights to Canberra mid-winter.
Nick
Roar Guru
Oh, so you'd support all them, but not throw a bone to the Annandale Dales!?
Nat
Roar Rookie
That's right. Then he was nephew of... for a while. Then iron mike or something boxing related. Wasn't he a character?
Adam
Roar Guru
I think the NRL should bite the bullet by tomorrow afternoon. The window is closing, don't want to get stuck on the tarmac as the A-League sides from Melbourne did
Adam
Roar Guru
What's wrong with supporting 4 or 5 teams? Cumberland, University, Glebe and Central Coast just on't get the support they deserve anymore
Big Daddy
Guest
I'm in Sydney and I'm not too alarmed but the more people travel the more risk there is whatever state. My son is also in commercial construction ( on the estimating/ site management side) and he hasn't been affected.
Big Daddy
Guest
Nat, I think it was Big J or Big Jake. I think he was banned, but that's not to say he's posting under another handle.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
BigJ
Nat
Roar Rookie
Ha! You just reminded me of that guy who used to post on here, forgotten his name, but he used to support 4 or 5 clubs. He'd be the only Qlder happy with that.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I was interested to read about the Danii Minogue situation. We know the sporting codes have been given approval with their COVID action plan, apparently quite a few industries and entertainers have the same approvals with their own plans in place. In my industry, commercial contruction, our team have been travelling between states with relative ease (specialised skills) even during the previous worst of the outbreaks a few months back. I can guarantee there were no special measures/quarantine hubs in place for these guys apart from the national 'stay home' policy. V'landys has ordered all NRL players back to stage 1 lockdown so even though there's only 10 (known) cases in Western Sydney: Manly, Newcastle and Cronulla players will all be ISO apart from training and game days. I think it will be a challenge though as going back into ISO is harder the 2nd time because the 1st was scary as no one knew what was going to happen. I can see more complacency when the health officials start say 'this area code' is effected as it implies it's all ok outside of that area. Sydney should shut down like Melbourne as to contain it first. Otherwise, it's like catching water with a colander.