Govt letter outlines plan for NRL return

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 the 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 had emailed the State Emergency Operations Centre after that, prompting the response.

Players will be asked to undertake various biosecurity measures when the game returns, including around hygiene, self isolation and temperature checks.

V’landys’ comments were made 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,’’ he said.