North Melbourne will play its Round 20 clash against Geelong at Blundstone Arena on Saturday afternoon.
North CEO, Ben Amarfio, thanked the Acting Assistant Commissioner and Department of Public Health in Tasmania and said the club is looking forward to taking on the Cats at the stadium for the first time, having only been to Tasmania once – a loss to Hawthorn at Launceston in 2007.
“We’re thrilled our game will proceed, it’s a great result for our Tasmanian members and fans, not just to see their favourite Kangaroos’ players but also to see the Geelong Cats, a premiership favourite, for the first time ever in Hobart,” he said.
“Once again, we are very grateful to the Tasmanian authorities for approving the game albeit under strict conditions.
“As was the case recently in Launceston with Essendon making their first visit to Tassie in decades, we’re particularly excited to host Geelong at Blundstone Arena. We are hopeful that there will be thousands of Roos’ and Cats’ supporters in the stands.
“We strongly encourage all our Tasmanian members and fans to show up on Saturday to cheer us on against a finals-bound team.”
Both clubs have agreed to adhere to strict protocols for the trip to Hobart, including:
- Producing negative COVID-19 test results on the days prior to travelling to Tasmania and undertaking further testing two days after the match
- Signing declarations stating no visitation to Victorian Tier 1 or Tier 2 public exposure sites
- Travelling directly from Victoria to Tasmania and returning on the same day via private charter
- Being transported directly between the airport and Blundstone Arena (and back) on a bus organised by the TAS COVID-19 Coordination Centre
- Wearing face masks at all times except when eating, training and playing
- Practicing social distancing at all times between the Victorian travelling party and on-ground staff
- All training preparations undertaken at Blundstone Arena and all members of the Victorian travelling group will remain within official non-public areas
- No direct interaction with spectators, people not directly involved in the conduct of the game or members of the media
- All spectators must wear masks including while queuing to enter the stadium
Amarfio emphasised the importance of all attendees coming prepared.
“It is strictly a mask-wearing event and it is essential that all attendees adhere to the rules including while queuing to enter Blundstone Arena. We strongly encourage everyone to come prepared,” he said.
Amarfio said the game couldn’t proceed without the support of the state.
“We know we have a responsibility to the entire state to do everything we can to ensure we are entering and playing in the safest way possible,” he added.
“Our players and staff, as well as Geelong’s, have been living under strict protocols which has enabled the game to proceed with minimal risk associated.”
North will take on Geelong at 1.15pm on Saturday, July 31.
