The NRL is determined to play on during the coronavirus pandemic, but with that comes more responsibility for teams to protect its players and staff from contracting COVID-19.
Some of those measures have been revealed by NRL teams in recent days as the rugby league competition hangs by a thread, hopeful that no players will fall ill despite NSW having the most cases of coronavirus in Australia.
According to News Corp, the Penrith Panthers have taken measures that extend outside of the footy club's HQ, in an effort to keep everyone healthy.
This includes:
- No carpooling, with every player to drive individually to training and Jubilee Stadium for their game against the Dragons on Friday night.
- The Mercure Hotel next to the League Club is an option for self-isolation if necessary.
- Temperatures to be taken regularly. Anything above 37.5 degrees to be flagged.
- No more finger food like lollies and rice crackers in the locker rooms.
- Massage tables get alcohol wiped after each use and towels used on massage tables to be used just once, then binned.
- More use of single-use hand wipes.
- Players encouraged to wash hands regularly, counting to 20 seconds each time.
- Water bottles not to go near the mouth.
https://twitter.com/PenrithPanthers/status/1240581502728986624The Panthers will reportedly only have 19 players and 12 additional staff for their game against the Dragons at Kogarah tonight.
"We are trying to take out all the communal contact," Panthers medical and rehabilitation coordinator Craig Catterick told News Corp.
"Trainers also run out onto the field and we have towels hanging off our belts. A towel normally goes around but this is about being vigilant.
"Now it will be one wipe and the towel will be thrown away, or maybe one towel per player. It could take hundreds of towels – or you don't take a towel out there at all. It's a logistical nightmare for every club in the league now."
THE GREAT HYPOCRISY WITH NRL'S COVID-19 RESPONSE
NRL CONFIRM DRASTIC ISOLATION MEASURE
The Panthers are just one of many NRL clubs to have since included more hand sanitisers around training and their respective HQs too, as well as updated health practices.
Fans have already been locked out of all NRL games for the foreseeable future.
"They understand the difficulty around the situation with what's going on," Dragons coach Paul McGregor said of his team's handling of the ongoing coronavirus drama.
"We're listening, we're learning. We're putting best practice into everything we do at training, and certainly the players know about hygiene and isolation."
At Manly, Addin Fonua-Blake has committed to wearing a face mask at training to prevent any accidental exposure to the coronavirus while around his teammates.
Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler also said their location gives them an advantage over other Sydney-based teams.
"We're fairly isolated here at Narrabeen so that's a good thing," Hasler said on Friday at a press conference.
"The NRLPA have been in contact with the players in regards to the isolation program.
"And they're busy throughout the week anyway. Monday through Friday, they're here so it's just about being sensible."
The NRL has encouraged all its players to self-isolate during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the league also announced that all players would be tested for coronavirus.
"In order for us to stay in the position we're in we need to introduce some new measures. The first measure is we will introduce, in conjunction with the players' association and the clubs, a self isolation program," ARLC chairman Peter V'Landys said.
"The details of that program will be worked out with the clubs and the players, taking into account the biosecurity and pandemic experts' advice.
"That means there is only going to be essential interaction with our players with the general community. Any non-essential contact will be reduced.
"It starts now. Our worst case scenario is if a player contracts the virus.
"Extreme times need extreme measures... but the whole future of the game is at stake, I can't stress that enough."
from WWOS http://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/coronavirus-measures-by-nrl-clubs-penrith-panthers-manly-sea-eagles-st-george-illawarra-dragons/5762d22e-ce43-4ec3-afd7-debe04c8b333
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