AFL Matches To Be Watched by Crowds Despite COVID Outbreak
The Magpies walk out onto the field during the round 10 AFL match between the Collingwood Magpies and the Port Adelaide Power at Melbourne Cricket Ground on May 23, 2021 in Melbourne, Australia. Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Crowds will be allowed to watch the AFL matches this week at the MCG and Docklands despite the COVID outbreak.

However, there will be additional rules for the fans as they enjoy the AFL matches, according to an ABC report.

Victoria's Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Martin Pakula, some of the rules include wearing face masks and the overall capacity of the place.

Current restrictions allow for 85 percent capacity at the 100,024-person capacity MCG. Meanwhile, the current capacity for Docklands Stadium is 53,359.

Pakula added that the roof at Docklands Stadium could possibly open to make venue outdoors.

Meanwhile, the state's Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton said the games could be canceled if the outbreak worsens. Acting Premier James Merlino added that the rules could also change.

The AFL said that despite the new cases, it was confident with the processes it had in place.

The AFL said in a statement that they have ensured each match has a COVID Safe Event Plan and is endorsed by the agencies involved, such as the State Department of Health.

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Meanwhile, the National Basketball Association had intended for each of its 30 teams to play 72 games in the 145 days this season, marking its 75th season.

David Weiss, the NBA's senior vice president of player matters, said that they knew it was going to be a challenge to push through all of the games in a way that they also keep people safe, according to The New York Times report.

Weiss added that no one knows everything about the pandemic, noting that they are always willing to revisit what they do.

League officials said they will not be returning to a restricted-access bubble environment as numerous players said the isolation was harmful to their mental health.

Commissioner Adam Silver said that playing games without fans for an entire season could lower revenue by as much as 40 percent.

Seventy-seven players have already tested positive for the coronavirus since December 3, after training camps started.

Before training camp, 48 players tested positive.

Meanwhile, the National Football League had relaxed its COVID-19 standards for teams that have 85-percent of its players vaccinated, according to an NBC Sports report.

The league had already created incentives for players who had chosen to be vaccinated. Those players will no longer be required to wear masks at the facility or on the practice field.

In addition, they will not have to submit to daily COVID testing.

Fans last year were barred from games if they had COVID symptoms or were exposed to someone infected with the virus.

However, that criteria will now be waived for fans who are fully vaccinated, according to The Athletic report.

The league said that it will maintain its promise to ensure fans are confident games are safe to attend.

Bobby Gallo, senior vice president of NFL club business development, added that they still urge anyone who has experienced any symptoms within 48 hours to see a healthcare professional and get tested before attending any event.

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