The AFL is scrambling to assist a number of AFL players and staff temporarily relocate out from COVID-19 'hotspots' in Victoria, before the state government imposes a lockdown to slow the spread of the virus.
In a media release, AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan said the AFL was racing against the clock, with midnight on Wednesday night the cutoff to get players and staff out of those suburbs affected by the lockdowns, as per Victorian government regulations.
He said "the health and well-being of everyone in our industry has been the number one priority since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit".
"As a precautionary measure we have taken the step of working with clubs to temporarily relocate the players, club football department staff, umpires and officials living in the Victorian government declared hot zones." McLachlan said on Wednesday evening.
"I thank everyone for their understanding and willingness to play their part. At every turn throughout the last four months the people involved in football continue to make the sacrifices to ensure we protect the health and well-being of not only the AFL competition but the wider community.
"We will continue to be guided by the advice of the State Governments and relevant medical officials and we will continue to ensure all our decisions are anchored in the advice of those governments to ensure we protect the wider Australian community as well as our players and staff."