The Sydney Swans have reported what is considered the largest outbreak of infections to have hit any AFL club to date. The Swans confirmed on Tuesday that several of their players tested positive while on leave. Everybody infected have been confirmed as being double jabbed and in good health.
Good news is the fact that players are only due to return to training on January 6. This means the impact will likely be much smaller in terms of practicalities than it would have been had it occurred at any other time during the season.
Even so, the sheer scale of the outbreak could very well prompt the AFL to reconsider its health and safety protocols ahead of the 2022 season.
Of concern right now also is the traditional Christmas Day lunch enjoyed with families by Australia and England cricket players competing in the Ashes Test in Melbourne. But despite rapidly rising cases, Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley has reiterated that he would keep to his promise of balancing health and safety with player welfare. Players from both sides will however still face strict conditions in Sydney and Melbourne, including a ban on indoor dining at local eateries.
Prompting further concerns about more severe restrictions has been Aussie captain Pat Cummins’ absence from the second Test. Cummins had come into close contact with an infected person, which prompted Hockley to stress once again the need to be vigilant about health and safety precautions.
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