The Papua New Guinea Hunters rugby league team are being kept in isolation after returning from Australia, as a precautionary measure against the Covid-19 coronavirus.
The Hunters opened their Intrust Super Cup season on Sunday with a comeback win over Souths Logan Magpies.
The team arrived home from Brisbane yesterday after Queensland Rugby League announced it was suspending all state-wide competitions until the first week of June.
New PNG Hunters coach Matt Church (2R) issues instructions at training. Photo: Facebook/PNG Hunters
PNG Rugby Football League Chairman Sandis Tsaka said the players and coaching staff who returned to Port Moresby were assessed by medical staff and put into quarantine as a precaution.
"The team will be further kept in isolation at their accommodation and during the period the doctors will monitor and carry out appropriate testings before the players are cleared," he said.
Hunters head coach Matt Church said the returning players and staff will be isolated for 14 days.
"Players and staff that remained in PNG were sent home immediately so [they] avoid contact with [the] returning travelling party. If everyone is cleared after the 14 days then they will be sent home."
PNG Competition Manager Stanley Hondina, PNGRFL Chair Sandis Tsaka and PNGRFL CEO Reatau Rau. Photo: Supplied
The PNGRFL announced on Wednesday it was suspending all rugby league programs in the country with immediate effect until 5 June, including the Digicel Cup, affiliate league, national schools and all domestic rugby league programs and international representative programs.
Sandis Tsaka said the governing body will be closely monitoring the situation in consultation with the relevant authorities and key partners and stakeholders and will provide an update on developments as they become available.
"The PNGRFL will be advising all our rugby league competitions, national franchises and programs on the necessary protocols to observe that incorporate the recommended measures to ensure the players, officials, the fans and their families exercise vigilance and safeguard against the threat of the Covid-19 virus during this trying period," he said.