Thousands of Novocastrians have signed a petition against Newcastle hosting the State of Origin next Wednesday amid concerns the event will put the Hunter region at risk of a COVID-19 outbreak.
The third State of Origin match was switched from Sydney to Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium after the NSW Government announced on July 7 that the Greater Sydney COVID-19 lockdown would be extended.
While passionate footy fans scrambled to get their hands on tickets, other community members weren’t so supportive. Many have voiced fears that the event could bring the virus to the area.
Petition starter Christoph Gremm said he hoped to get more signatures than tickets sold, pushing the organisers to reconsider their decision.
“I think it is completely wrong to host the State of Origin in Newcastle when the series has already been decided, and COVID is not under control in NSW,” he wrote.
“Do we really need to get Newcastle locked down due to a possible positive spectator coming to watch the game and infecting others?
“But we should not only talk about the individuals who could become spreaders – it is the system that allows for the game to go ahead at a time when everyone says we are at a crucial crossroads.”
The petition, lodged on Change.org, had more than 15,000 signatures by early Saturday afternoon.
McDonald Jones Stadium will be allowed 75 per cent seated capacity on the night, which means up to 20,000 people can attend.
The City of Newcastle assured the community that the State of Origin match would be held with all relevant COVID Safe protocols.
In addition, NSW Police will monitor and enforce public health order restrictions and check ID and addresses of spectators at the gate.
Gremm said fans who travel to the game but are turned away by police could also pose a risk to the community.
“People who are turned away at the gates will go to local pubs and bars to view the game, creating new possible venues for spreading the infections.”
Fans living in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour, are not permitted to purchase tickets.
Public health physician Dr David Durrheim told ABC News that going to the Origin game was not worth the risk.
“Get in and get out quickly. Keep well distanced from people,” he said.
“Treat everyone around you as if they might have COVID.
“So, that mask is absolutely critical. Remove it for the very shortest amount of time when you’re eating or drinking.”
Community members and petitioners against the event questioned why the rugby league game had received priority when small businesses in the area had to double down on safety precautions.
“In a time when people are cancelling weddings, milestone birthdays, and having to reduce numbers at funerals, to go ahead with this game in a regional area of NSW which is currently COVID-19 free, is utter lunacy,” one person wrote.
“When artists are being stood down without pay, the hypocrisy of exemptions for sport and in particular a dead round of the State of Origin series defies logic. It tells the community that some of us are more important than others, and that is not conducive to the idea that we are in this together,” another wrote.
A Newcastle mother also expressed her concerns over what impacts another potential lockdown might have on school children.
“It places the citizens of the Hunter at risk of contracting covid. It places small businesses at risk of having to close down. And it jeopardises the education, activities and wellbeing of school children,” she wrote.
“The wellbeing and health of the people of Newcastle and the Hunter far outweighs a one-off sporting event. Please do not host State of Origin in Newcastle. It is too risky.”
Sydney schools will go online next week due to lockdown extensions and masks in regional NSW schools are now recommended for all staff and high school students, so at-home learning for Newcastle students isn’t far from reality.
University of Newcastle’s Pro Vice-Chancellor in the College of Human and Social Futures Professor John Fischetti said recurring lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions for school students had problematic consequences.
“These are the mental health issues of our young people; access to online resources and materials (25 per cent of our families don’t have ongoing internet access); and learning support for young people with special needs.
“They also include the stresses and impacts on teachers and school leaders who have an enormous job of preparing lessons in multiple formats.
“We also need to remember that there are potential health interruptions of staff and students exposed to the virus.”
Hayley McMahon
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