We have virus remedies
Flexible NRL plans ahead to save its season
PETER V’landys is confident the NRL Premiership will not be derailed by a COVID-19 resurgence, but the game has contingency plans in place to ensure the show can go on.
ARLC chairman V’landys and the NRL are closely monitoring the coronavirus situation in NSW, as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk threatens to declare more Sydney hot spots and close the state’s border again. The NRL has already returned to stricter biosecurity protocols following a spike in NSW cases, and the second surge in Victoria has put the league on high alert.
Palaszczuk has already declared a number of regions in Sydney as COVID hot spots and blocked people from those areas from entering Queensland. Players from the hot spots are required to undergo extra testing before entering Queensland and NRL teams that travel to Sydney will be closely monitored upon returning home.
The Melbourne Storm, now based on the Sunshine Coast, faces six straight weeks of quarantine at its hotel base following games in Sydney.
The NRL’s “Project Apollo” committee has canvassed several worst-case scenario options, which include shifting all teams to NSW or Queensland if the virus spreads further.
Only seven new positive cases were recorded in NSW on Friday and V’landys said he was confident the NRL could continue through a potential outbreak.
“We have got to stay a step ahead of the virus at all times,” he said. “We’re trying to stay balanced and a step ahead. If we get through this, that will be why. As it stands today, I’m very confident (of the season continuing).
“But as I said back in March, things can change in 24 hours. It’s one of those things that is unpredictable. Nothing surprises me.”
The NRL is in Round 11 of a 20-round season, to be followed by finals, then a threegame State of Origin series.
The Apollo committee meets weekly to discuss issues and create contingency plans.
V’landys praised the NSW and Queensland governments and said he hoped to relax protocols for NRL players in the coming weeks if the situation remained stable.