AFL fans ordered to get tested over positive Covid case at MCG
Thousands of AFL fans have been ordered to undergo a Covid test after a positive case attended the Collingwood-Port Adelaide clash at the MCG on Sunday.
Health authorities in Melbourne have ordered thousands of fans who attended the match to isolate until they return a negative result.
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A person with coronavirus attended Port Adelaide's one-point win over Collingwood at the MCG, sitting in Zone 4, Level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end.
On Tuesday evening the Department of Health Victoria issued text messages to supporters seated in the vicinity of the positive case classifying them as close contacts and advising them to get tested.
Others attending the match have been asked to check for symptoms and get tested if any develop.
"The MCG has advised that extensive cleaning of the venue takes place after each match and, out of an abundance of caution, a deep clean of the identified zone is now being undertaken," the AFL said in a statement on Wednesday.
The AFL has yet to make a decision on whether fans can attend this weekend's scheduled matches.
Marvel Stadium is set to host a top-of-the-table clash between Melbourne and the Western Bulldogs on Friday night - the first of four AFL games in the Victorian capital this weekend.
Acting Victorian premier James Merlino said AFL games would go ahead with crowds in Melbourne, but that could change if the outbreak worsens.
"This is subject to how we go over the next 24 hours. We have got a critical period in front of us," Merlino told reporters on Wednesday.
AFL teams fly out of Melbourne ahead of schedule
Covid-19 restrictions were ramped up in Melbourne on Tuesday and more could be on the way as authorities try to contain the outbreak in Whittlesea in the city's north, which now numbers 15 positive cases.
The AFL on Tuesday paused ticket sales for games in round 11 and 12, with the Victorian government yet to make a decision on crowd sizes.
On Tuesday, the state government announced new coronavirus restrictions including five-visitor limits for private gatherings, 30 for public gatherings and masks being worn indoors.
Essendon and Carlton players and staffers will fly out of Melbourne on Wednesday to ensure they don't get trapped by any further restrictions.
The Bombers will fly to Perth ahead of Saturday's game against West Coast, while Carlton will depart for Sydney ahead of Sunday's match against the Swans.
Carlton confirmed their players and staff had coronavirus tests on Wednesday morning ahead of their flight to Sydney.
And Essendon players and staffers will be tested on arrival in Perth and isolate until they receive negative results.
Hawthorn will fly to Darwin on Thursday - a day earlier than originally planned - for their clash with Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Richmond will be tested for Covid-19 before Sunday's match at the MCG against Adelaide as a precautionary measure to assist with the Crows in their return to South Australia after the match.
Western Bulldogs players and staff were all tested, and cleared, of having Covid-19 on Tuesday after being linked to the growing outbreak in Melbourne.
A Bulldogs staff member visiting a shopping centre when it was a coronavirus-exposed site.
with AAP
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