The COVID-19 outbreak is threatening to disrupt major sporting events around the country, including the Australian Grand Prix and the start of the AFL season.
Six-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton says money is being put ahead of health at the Australian Grand Prix and said on Thursday it was "shocking" that the season-opening event is being staged amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Hamilton didn't hold back after it emerged eight F1 team staff had been quarantined and tested for the virus in Melbourne, sparking fresh uncertainty about staging the Albert Park event.
Asked if the Grand Prix should be held this week, the Mercedes driver said: "I am really very, very surprised that we are here.
"For me it is shocking that we are all sitting in this (press conference) room.
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP speaks during a press conference ahead of the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix Source: AAP
"It seems like the rest of the world is reacting ... you see the NBA has been suspended yet Formula One continues to go on - it's definitely concerning for me.
"Cash is king but I really don't know."
On Thursday evening, #canceltheGrandPrix was trending on Twitter.
Victoria's deputy chief health officer Annaliese van Diemen said any recommendation to cancel the Grand Prix would hinge on the F1 staffers’ results.
The Grand Prix is due to start with practice sessions on Friday with test results for those who may have contracted the disease expected to be announced within 24 to 72 hours.
Yet fans still turned up in droves on Thursday for the opening day of Albert Park action to watch support categories which included Supercars practice and qualifying after Australian Grand Prix Corporation CEO Andrew Westacott earlier this week confirmed there was "no chance" of a spectator ban.
Carlos Sainz Jr of Spain and McLaren at the Australian Grand Prix, Thursday 12th March 2020. Source: AAP
Start of AFL season to be postponed?
Meanwhile, AFL players are bracing for the prospect of the 2020 season being postponed amid growing concern over the coronavirus outbreak.
Players' Association boss Paul Marsh and president Patrick Dangerfield have been in regular contact with AFL chief executive Gillon McLachlan over the past few days as the sport's peak body attempts to navigate its way through the crisis.
Dangerfield said he believed the Richmond-Carlton season opener would go ahead as planned on 19 March, however, was prepared for round one to be played behind closed doors or even delayed.
The AFL has also taken steps to limit close interactions between players and the media amid concerns over the spread of the coronavirus.
The updated media and broadcast policy was released on Thursday afternoon and will be implemented immediately for both the AFL and AFLW, with conditions applying both on match days and during the week.
"The development of this policy, enforced for both AFL and AFLW, is to ensure the game continues to generate media content for fans in the most controlled environment possible, and to ensure the safety all everyone involved in the game," the AFL said in a statement.
Patrick Dangerfield during a joint Victoria and All-Stars AFL State of Origin training session at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne Source: AAP
On match day, there will be no media access - apart from TV broadcasters and one AFL social media team member - to change rooms before and after the match.
AFL club Richmond has effectively shut its doors to visitors and told staff to work from home in a bid to protect players.
And rival club Melbourne has moved its training away from its facilities at AAMI Park - where a spectator attended a Super Rugby game last Saturday and later tested positive to coronavirus.
NRL players told to stop handshakes
NRL players have been told to avoid shaking hands with fans in a bid to control the coronavirus outbreak as part of a document sent to all clubs.
League officials briefed all 16 club bosses on Thursday afternoon on the virus, just hours before the season kickoff between Parramatta and Canterbury.
However, an email sent to club officials on Thursday morning outlined a number of recommended measurements.
Those include not taking selfies with fans after matches and avoiding taking pens from fans to sign autographs.
Clubs have been told to take reasonable steps to limit player contact with community organisations such as hospitals and schools.
Post-match access to dressing sheds will also be limited, as the league desperately tries to stay on top of the situation.
