quarantine hubs

[tdy]

How would this work

3 groups of 6

2 groups of 9?

[one-eyed]

3 groups of 6 teams (one in each of WA, SA and Tassie).

If the other states have there restrictions lifted later on in the year then games can be moved back to Vic, NSW & Qld.

There was talk a week ago of the Tassie group being split between Hobart and Launceston but with that local outbreak in the north-west I'm guessing Hobart will be the hub down there.

They also said last night that families of the players will be allowed in the hub if the player needs to be with his family (such as having young kids).

[WilliamPowell]

I wonder with issues down in Burnie if this changes things around whether Tassie becomes a hub?

[one-eyed]

America’s top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci believes sports can safely be played without fans in stadiums.

“Nobody comes to the stadium.

“Put them (athletes) in big hotels, wherever you want to play.

“Keep them very well surveilled and have them tested like every week and make sure they don’t wind up infecting each other or their family and just let them play the season out.”

https://7news.com.au/sport/rugby-league/dr-fauci-raises-hopes-for-return-of-sport-c-979102

[one-eyed]

‘It’s a risk’: Health chief lukewarm on AFL idea ahead of Gil meeting

3aw
16 April 2020

Victoria’s Chief Health Officer has expressed a lukewarm opinion of AFL hubs ahead of a meeting with competition boss Gil McLachlan to discuss the future of the 2020 season.

While the football industry speculates wildly about when and how the season resumes, the man who will ultimately have the biggest say revealed to Neil Mitchell he was due to discuss the matter with McLachlan today.

“I’ve got to call him back! I’ve got a voicemail from him,” Dr Brett Sutton said on 3AW Mornings.

“We’ll have a conversation about (recommencing the season) today.

“I think training is one thing but a national competition needs borders open between states and territories where people aren’t quarantined when they move across.

“It’s early days so I think we need to consider how they might maintain their professional skills, but competition is another question.”

Neil Mitchell said the idea of isolation hubs concerned him because of the potential of an outbreak.

Dr Sutton agreed “it is a risk”.

“People who have any symptoms need to be excluded from those groups, and they need to be really careful about how close they are when they do come together.

“I think it’s OK to be coming together as a hub but that physical distancing needs to happen.

“And maybe the number of interactions between individuals needs to be minimised so that if someone does become unwell and gets confirmed as having coronavirus, then it’s only three or four people who need to be quarantined and not 30 or 40.”

https://www.3aw.com.au/its-a-risk-health-chief-lukewarm-on-afl-idea-ahead-of-gil-meeting/

[one-eyed]

Gil's view:

ON THE POTENTIAL OF PLAYING IN HUBS …

"It's incumbent upon us to look at every option. That ranges from playing the way we have historically, to various levels of quarantine. We are working with the right people, the government, security experts and the right medical officers to get a considered view about the right way to take us forward."

https://www.afl.com.au/news/391467/gill-on-longer-seasons-the-draft-and-when-footy-could-return

[tdy]

It would suck big time if your team got quarantined and couldn't finish the season.

[one-eyed]

Virus hubs not remote islands: AFL boss

Jason Phelan
ESPN
18 April 2020

The idea of a quarantine hub might evoke images of AFL players being banished to remote islands for some people, but that's not how the league views the concept.

AFL chief Gillon McLachlan moved to allay fears about the controversial proposal on Friday.

The hub plan, which would have teams separated into three groups and isolated in different states to limit their exposure to COVID-19, is one of the scenarios the league is considering to restart the suspended season.

Key industry figures like the AFLPA's Paul Marsh and Patrick Dangerfield have expressed concerns about the concept, with GWS chairman Tony Shepherd even likening hubs to cruise ships.

"I don't know where we'll land on (hubs), there are a range of options," McLachlan told 3AW.

"But I do feel that hubs mean different things to different people and it can be applied differently.

"People have thoughts of remote islands and different stuff but in its simplest form it's enhanced quarantine measures for if and when we get back on the park.

"I'm confident it's more like 'when' and then there will be increased quarantine measures as is appropriate and I think people would expect."

The AFL is working on a return-to-play plan to put to clubs by the end of April, with growing confidence in the industry that games might resume in July.

In further developments on Friday, McLachlan didn't dismiss the prospect of players returning to clubs to train in groups before a date has been set for the resumption of the season.

Victoria's chief medical officer Brett Sutton appeared to give the move his blessing when he told 3AW: "I think we need to consider how (players) might maintain their professional skills, but competition is another question."

"What we've been clear on is that wherever we go we'll be in lock step with the advice of governments," McLachlan replied when asked about a return to training.

"Particularly in Victoria, we're clearly taking direct advice from the chief medical officer.

"I think we've been superbly led in this state and we'll take their advice."

https://www.espn.com.au/afl/story/_/id/29047231/afl-boss

[one-eyed]

Victoria a quarantine hub option: AFL boss

Jason Phelan
7 News
Saturday, 18 April 2020 3:22 pm

AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan says Victoria remains a viable option to host a quarantine hub as the league edges closer to restarting the 2020 season.

McLachlan revealed on Saturday that he has a tentative return date in his mind and that players should be optimistic about the situation, with the league to announce a return-to-play plan by the end of the month.

The hub concept, which would see teams split into three groups and isolated in different states to limit their exposure to COVID-19, is increasingly likely to come into play.

Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland had been viewed as key states to that strategy, but a drop off in new cases in Victoria has improved chances the state could host a hub.

"Victoria has extraordinary proximate facilities, so there are obviously opportunities, like there are in every state to various levels," McLachlan told Fox Footy.

"You clearly need venues, options with centralised accommodation, you need training facilities, you need medical facilities and they're all being assessed.

"There are live examples of things being looked at in every state and territory."

McLachlan didn't dismiss a hub hypothetical that was put him that would see games played at the MCG, players and staff housed at the nearby Pullman and Mantra hotels and training sessions held at Collingwood's headquarters and Richmond's Punt Road Oval.

Hospitals and scanning facilities are also located nearby.

The AFL chief accepts that there is a level of restlessness amongst isolated players and that "there is a point where all people need to look forward".

However, he reiterated the season won't get back underway without the blessing of relevant state and federal medical authorities.

The AFL has worked with those authorities and international sporting codes to come up with a strict set of protocols that would help safeguard players in a hub scenario.

McLachlan has been at pains to demystify the hub concept that GWS chairman Tony Shepherd has described as potentially having the same level of infection risk as a cruise ship.

"There's the most extreme (idea) where you are on an island or a green field site, you can put a fence around it and you completely lock it," he said.

"And then at its least extreme it's a level of quarantine measures and protocols that mean you're not actually living your normal life and the way you go about footy.

"What I've said is that I think there's going to be some level of quarantine measures that will mean that when we start it won't be (a season) as we've known it."

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/victoria-a-quarantine-hub-option-afl-boss-c-984787

[one-eyed]

Quarantine protocols will become AFL 'bible'

Peter Ryan
The Age
19 April 2020

Quarantine measures introduced by the league to enable training and AFL games to restart with government approval will become "the bible" for players and officials to follow in 2020, according to AFL CEO Gill McLachlan.

The AFL is working on establishing an extensive set of protocols that will guide players and officials when they ramp up preparation for games to resume in stadiums without crowds.

McLachlan told Fox Footy on Saturday he had examined an initial document relating to quarantine measures that already ran to 15 pages as the AFL's medical team, led by Dr Peter Harcourt, liaised with government, chief medical officers and international sports in order to take a proposal to the government.

"Resilience measures and the protocols being formed by government and the chief medical officers and others our team are talking to – including international sports – will form a set of protocols that will become the bible which will govern how all our players, officials and our game goes forward," McLachlan said.

Clubs are yet to be informed of the nature the return might take but club sources expect there will be a graded return which might see players initially allowed to train in small groups with one official away from the club before scaling up the interaction to the point where games can take place.

AFL clubs had a taste of protocols in the lead-up to round one when they were issued guidelines that included training in smaller groups, keeping hygiene levels high and restricting their interactions with those outside football departments.

The revised set of guidelines will be much further advanced and expected to be much stronger, with testing underpinning the return.

There will also be continued social distancing as much as is possible when not playing games.

The AFL's access to testing equipment will be dependent on the availability of resources, with both the government and the AFL working together to ensure that the restart of the competition does not stretch the public health system.

Governments are also interested in learning from elite sporting organisations as to how to effectively relax measures around community participation in sport without jeopardising health.

No AFL player has been diagnosed with COVID-19 which has given the competition a level of confidence it can proceed under heavy restrictions in the coming months.

"There will be some level of quarantine measures that will mean the games when we start won't be as we have known it," McLachlan said.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/quarantine-protocols-will-become-afl-bible-20200418-p54l2b.html

[tdy]

Why not an island in Queensland or bass straight. Then basically they could run around and do whatever as long as no one had the disease.

[one-eyed]

AFL would need national proposal before resuming: Sutton

Roy Ward, Rachel Eddie
The Age
20 April 2020

While Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Sutton both expressed a desire to see football return, they won't let it resume if it threatens the gains made in flattening the COVID-19 curve.

"We are all keen to get AFL back and get moving again with the right timing and the right assurances," Sutton said.

"Gil said he hadn't been within two metres of someone for five weeks and that's the kind of demonstration we need across the board."

Sutton said the AFL would have to have clear plans on dealing with player health.

"It needs a detailed proposal that works through exactly how risk is managed, how physical distancing is managed, and [how] surveillance for illness in any players is managed," Sutton said.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-would-need-national-proposal-before-resuming-sutton-20200420-p54ldn.html

[one-eyed]

League-wide player survey looms as referendum on AFL hub concept.

Once handed enough information, every player in the competition will have the chance to give feedback via a survey similar to the one they completed on the Monday night before Round 1.

Key issues include where the hubs will be, how long players will be there, whether families will be permitted, and the repercussions (if any) for players who elect not to travel.

Once completed, the PA will have a consensus on key issues and represent the players in discussions with the AFL.

https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/league-wide-player-survey-looms-as-referendum-on-afl-hub-concept-c-990552
https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-aflpa-survey-on-quarantine-hubs-coronavirus-news-patrick-dangerfield-cba-pay-deal/news-story/93d7a089c60c319c6bea50e03254eae9

[one-eyed]

AFL preparing quarantine hubs in every state

Sam McClure said every state in the country is readying themselves to host a hub in the event there’s a localised outbreak and the league has to rapidly shift venues.

“As soon as the AFL get the green light from the Chief Medical Officer, they’ll be implementing these hubs straight away,” he told Sportsday.

“The AFL are planning a hub in all six states and two territories…what they want is options so when they do get the green light, they want to go straight away.

“I’d think clubs would want to be ready to go.”

https://www.sen.com.au/news/2020/04/21/afl-preparing-quarantine-hubs-in-every-state-mcclure/

AFL PLANNING HUBS ‘EVERYWHERE’ TO ENSURE QUICK RESTART

Collingwood president and ‘coronavirus cabinet’ member Eddie McGuire says the AFL is covering as many hub bases as possible to ensure it can quickly reboot the season when ready.

The hub concept, under which teams would split into three groups and isolate in different states to limit COVID-19 exposure, is increasingly likely to come into play.

It’s been reported the AFL is working at an initial interstate model, featuring Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia, before moving to the MCG once Victoria is fully up and running.

Speaking on Triple M’s Hot Breakfast, McGuire said the AFL, governments and health officials were all looking at a “detailed plan”.

“What the AFL doesn’t want to do is become a pain in the neck to the health authorities. So they want to go with the one thing at the right time and get it done,” McGuire said on Wednesday morning.

”You’re going to hear all sorts of different hubs — because we could play anywhere if there’s no crowds, by the way — but the point is, you’ve also got to be realistic for the TV companies. It’s one thing to say ‘we’ll play in Mildura’, but it’s going to cost you a fortune to rig the whole thing to broadcast it.

“They’re going to plan to do it everywhere, so that when the time comes they can do it somewhere.”

AFL’S HOMETOWN HUB PLAN TAKING SHAPE

As many as 12 games a week could be played in Melbourne with the city shaping as a key quarantine hub when the season resumes.

Talks are continuing around where the AFL will play its games, potentially as soon as July 10, according to Nine and the Herald Sun.

The MCG is said to be in a condition to host as many as six games a week if required, while Marvel Stadium has the same capacity.

It was initially believed the MCG wasn’t suitable as a quarantine hub, where teams would base themselves in a clean environment for an as-necessary period of time to play multiple games against fellow quarantined sides.

But it’s now thought to be more likely. Victoria’s 10 teams and club officials could all be housed across the Pullman and Mantra on Jolimont hotels, with their combined capacity of 620 rooms.

The MCC and Victorian government are both said to be keen on playing games in the state as soon as it’s safe to do so.

LEAGUE HAS SPOKEN TO WA GOVERNMENT ON HUBS

The AFL has spoken with the Western Australian government about a footy restart, WA premier Mark McGowan has confirmed.

Speaking today, McGowan said the AFL had been in touch regarding its ideas for hubs across various states to keep players isolated while being able to get a season away.

“Within the best health advice, if we can have teams based here, if we can have a competition based here, I think that would be great for morale across the community,” he said.

“We’ll take the best health advice on that and if the AFL complies with that advice it’s something we’d look strongly at.

“There would have to be some self isolation within the guidelines of the players, that would be a restriction to be complied with.”

“We’ll certainly take medical advice on how a competition based locally might be able to resume.

“We currently have people come in for work purposes and have to isolate in a hotel for two weeks before they go to work.”

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-2020-coronavirus-blog-12-games-in-melbourne-a-week-afl-season-start-date-july-10-quarantine-hubs/news-story/e722b88c3e4f901e30b8052a23372846

[one-eyed]

AFL teams could play on in hubs even if player tests positive

Peter Ryan
The Age
22 April 2020

A team could continue playing in quarantine hubs even if one of its players tests positive for COVID-19 under an early proposal related to testing outlined by the AFL to clubs on Tuesday.

The player would go into isolation under medical supervision and all people who came into contact with the player or official would be tested to ensure the virus had not been transmitted.

Clubs were on Tuesday given an indication of the testing protocols that could – subject to government approval – be put in place once the season resumes as hoped later this year, to enable it to proceed uninterrupted once the ball is bounced.

Clubs were informed that players and officials would be tested before going into quarantine hubs and then be tested twice a week and on match day.

They would also be subject to daily medical screening and temperature tests to pick up any early symptoms if they arise.

If one player or official tested positive to COVID-19, the team – subject to other participants being cleared of the virus – would be able to continue playing in the competition.

It is unclear how the AFL would procure the level of testing required. A fundamental guiding principle of any return-to-play plan is that the resumption of the season would not put any stress on the public health system and would need government approval.

Sources said the AFL was being led by government in relation to what was possible and the environment was changing so quickly that protocols were continually being updated, with the situation expected to be different if games kicked off in late June or early July.

https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/afl-teams-could-play-on-in-hubs-even-if-player-tests-positive-20200422-p54m5n.html