Positive COVID-19 case attended Collingwood-Port Adelaide match at MCG

Thousands of AFL fans have been asked to undergo a COVID-19 test and isolate until they return a negative result after a positive case attended Port Adelaide’s win over Collingwood at the MCG on Sunday.

The person was seated in Zone 4, Level 1 of the Great Southern Stand at the Punt Road end.

Late on Tuesday evening the Department of Health Victoria issued text messages to supporters seated in the vicinity of the positive case classifying them as close contacts and advising them to get tested.

Others in attendance at the match, with the are being asked to check for symptoms and get tested if any develop.

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Since round six, fans attending all AFL matches in Victoria have been required to submit contact details linked to their seat when purchasing tickets.

While COVID-19 restrictions were ramped up in Melbourne on Tuesday, more could be on the way as authorities try to contain the outbreak in Whittlesea in the city’s north which now numbers nine positive cases.

The latest development in the AFL comes a day after the Western Bulldogs’ preparations for their round 11 game were affected by a staff member visiting a shopping centre when it was a coronavirus-exposed site.

Bulldogs players and staff were self-isolating just days out from their blockbuster clash with Melbourne as they awaited the results of COVID tests taken on Tuesday.

The first-placed Bulldogs are due to play second-placed Melbourne at Marvel Stadium on Friday night – the first of four AFL matches in Victoria this weekend.

The AFL has been alerted that a positive COVID case attended the Collingwood-Port Adelaide match at the MCG on Sunday Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Western Australia premier Mark McGowan confirmed Essendon will still be allowed to fly to Perth for Saturday night’s clash with West Coast at Optus Stadium.

The Bombers tweeted on Wednesday: “Our players and match-day staff will depart for Perth later this morning.”

Under government guidelines, they will all be tested on arrival in the WA capital and isolate until they receive a negative result.

The AFL announced on Tuesday it would pause ticket sales for games in round 11 and 12, with the Victorian government yet to make a decision on crowd sizes amid Melbourne’s latest COVID-19 outbreak.

On Tuesday, the state government announced new coronavirus restrictions including five-visitor limits for private gatherings, 30 for public gatherings and masks being worn indoors.