NRL players could be forced to move out of homes as season return approaches

NRL clubs have been sent a detailed draft biosecurity protocol document which will be in play by the time teams resume training next Monday.

NRL headquarters in Sydney. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

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Players and staff could be forced to move out of their homes under strict new biosecurity measures to be put in place by the NRL.

Clubs were sent a detailed 48-page draft biosecurity protocol document which will be in play by the time teams resume training next Monday. Every club will have to provide a register of staff and players to the NRL.

Their living arrangements will need to be approved after they undergo a “household screening for each player and club official on the register” by the club’s medical officer.

That could either be via a questionnaire or an inspection. If a player or staff member is deemed at risk they could be asked to move to enable them to be part of the resumed competition.

“Household screening will assess matters such as whether they are members of the player or club officials’ household who are at high risk in relation to COVID-19,” the document read.

“Whether consideration should be given to relocating persons to alternative accommodation, or to implementing additional precautions to mitigate the risk of spreading COVID-19 to vulnerable individuals.”

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The NRL will ask players to lodge daily health checks.

Some of the household screening questions will include asking every person if anyone in the household has a heart condition, asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, obesity, chronic liver disease, is aged 65 or over or is of indigenous heritage and aged 50 or over.

People who live with teachers, doctors, nurses and those who work in aged care may also come under scrutiny for working in a “high-risk category”.

Players and staff will also be banned from exercising at local parks and stopped from carpooling unless given prior permission in exceptional circumstances — such as loss of licence.

They will naturally have to self-isolate while guests at home are forbidden even if government regulations are loosened.

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The NRL has locked in a May 28 return. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images.

The NRL is still working on how many people clubs will be able to register. It is understood the number will be about 50 including players – meaning clubs will limit their staff to about 15.

Some of the other measures include:

– Daily cleaning with disinfectant and bleaching of all training equipment including footballs. This must be done by a person on the register – not an external cleaning company;

– People on the registered list have to complete an online training module;

– Taxis and ride shares are banned;

– Daily household screening questionnaire where they will be asked about whereabouts for the past 24 hours;

– Single access to the venue which must be manned and secure; and

– Temperature checked before you are able to enter a training venue.

NRL players will have to follow strict biosecurity measures.

Players and officials must have their own thermometer and fill in health and whereabouts reports correctly and on time every day. This will likely be via an app.

Players who break the rules have been warned they will be suspended or fined while clubs that seriously flout the protocols could have competition points docked.

The NRL has backed the government’s introduction of the coronavirus Contact App with the ALRC pledging to use the application.

“We absolutely believe in the importance of the community health message and are proud to work with the government to promote it far and wide,” chairman Peter V’landys said.

NRL club bosses will be provided with daily briefs from the game’s head office every day at 3pm.

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Originally published as NRL players could be forced to move out of homes as season return approaches