US sports say locker rooms off limits

THE NBA, NHL, Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer are closing access to locker rooms and clubhouses to all nonessential personnel, including media, in response to the coronavirus crisis, the leagues announced in a joint statement.

They said they made the decision “after consultation with infectious disease and public health experts.”

The NBA, in a call with teams, stressed that the move is not to ban reporters but to ensure the safety of players and staff in those areas.

The statement, in part, read: “Given the issues that can be associated with close contact in pre- and post-game settings, all team locker rooms and clubhouses will be open only to players and essential employees of teams and team facilities until further notice.

“Media access will be maintained in designated locations outside of the locker room and clubhouse setting.”

. The NBA said interviews with players would continue in different settings, stressing a gap of 6-to-8 feet between reporters and interview subjects.

It is unclear how long the new policies will last.

“No disrespect, but that’s the last thing I’m worried about,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said prior to Denver’s NBA game against Milwaukee.

GLITTER strip restaurants are getting rid of casual staff and slashing their hours as international tourists stop visiting the Gold Coast.

But not everyone – some restaurateurs are being positively affected by the coronavirus outbreak and are recording an increase in trade thanks to a hike in domestic travellers.

Businesses who’re doing it the toughest are eateries in the heart of Surfers Paradise, such as the iconic Hard Rock Cafe.

Finance manager of the Surfers Paradise restaurant Kirstine Laksana said the business was hurting and bracing for the worst, adding that “I’d hate to be a casual right now”.

“We’re being dramatically affected and we don’t have any tourists coming. Tour groups from Japan, Malaysia and Bali have also cancelled which is really sad, it’s hurting everyone,” she said.

“Staff hours have been cut because we just have to and I don’t think we’ve seen the worst, it’s going to get worse before it gets better.

“We’ve got full-timers and they get their hours but we’re trying to work it out so everyone gets something, but we can only do so much. I’d hate to be a casual right now, let’s just put it that way.”

Charlie’s Cafe and Bar in Cavill Ave have also let casual staff go, with waiter Calum Warbroke saying only core staff and a few others remained as the restaurant noted a “massive dip in visitor numbers”.

In comparison, Artesian Hospitality partner Matt Keegan said White Rhino restaur