NRL boss Peter V’landys adamant nothing changes for the season despite QLD border closures
Queensland’s government closing the borders to NSW due to an increase in active COVID-19 cases is not enough to worry Peter V’landys about the continuation of the NRL season. Here’s his plan.
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The NRL will continue to send teams in and out of Queensland despite the government closing its borders to Sydney come Saturday.
ARLC chairman Peter V’landys said while Queensland had shut travel down from Sydney “nothing has changed” for teams flying in and out of the sunshine state this weekend for the moment.
“The players are now under self-quarantine and self-isolation and following all the protocols conscientiously,” V’landys said. “So the exemption should stand like we first got it. Unless the government in Queensland notifies us that the exemption is no longer valid, (nothing) changes.
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“At the moment they haven’t notified us of that. I am not reacting to something I shouldn’t be reacting to because I believe when we were given the original exemptions we were given, we were in a worst-case scenario than we are now. Logically, the exemptions should still apply.”
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced on Wednesday her plans to close the borders to Greater Sydney residents from 1am on Saturday. This sparked a frenzy for clubs and players searching for answers. As it stands, the NRL have been able to continue to operate despite restrictions growing in Queensland in recent weeks.
The NRL has a host of contingency measures in place which would include relocating the four Queensland-based sides to NSW. However, V’landys dismissed concerns for the NRL premiership and the potential relocation of Queensland-based teams.
“When they gave us the first exemption, the whole of NSW was banned, not just Greater Sydney,” V’landys said. “The Queensland government approved our original protocols when the borders were closed the first time. We are confident the NSW and Queensland governments have this under control and the infection rates are a lot less now than when we first got approval for border travel.
“While our exemptions are in place, we will continue with all charter flights to Queensland and back.”
Cronulla play the Broncos on Friday but will return before the boarders close as part of the NRL’s chartered flights.
The Knights will travel to Queensland to play the Storm at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Sunday. Canberra play the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday but neither side are under the travel ban put in place.
Only the Bulldogs travel to Queensland next week to play the Storm while Brisbane will play South Sydney at ANZ Stadium. The Titans play North Queensland in round 13.
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Originally published as NRL boss Peter V’landys adamant nothing changes for the season despite QLD border closures