The Canberra Raiders season opener will go ahead as planned after the Australian government announced advice to cancel non-essential public gatherings would only come into effect from Monday.
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But the NRL will shut fans out next week to deal with the ongoing concerns surrounding coronavirus.
That decision has cast doubt on a historic double header in New Zealand, where the Raiders and Warriors were supposed to play a curtain-raiser for the ACT Brumbies-Auckland Blues contest at Eden Park next weekend.
It's understood the double-header is being organised by rugby officials, which could create a loophole for fans to still attend.
Raiders supporters will be allowed to attend the club's round-one match against the Gold Coast Titans on Friday at 6pm
The NRL's guidelines of restricting contact between players and the public will still be in place.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg will address the media in Townsville to discuss the impact of the coronavirus on the competition.
The Raiders have been inundated with calls from fans trying to find out what's happening.
They were expecting 15,000 fans to flood through the gates - which would've been their biggest home crowd against the Titans - but it's unclear what affect the uncertainty will have on that figure.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced their advice was to cancel gatherings of more than 500 people from Monday.
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"Based on the advice we've received today about the increasing number of cases and the evidence of community transmission, it has been recommended to us that we move to a position by Monday where we will be advising against organised, non-essential gatherings of persons of 500 people or greater from Monday," Morrison said on Friday.
"There'll be many issues to work through between now and Monday as we get the precise advice about the implementation of that advice."
Morrison also advised Australians should cancel "non-essential" overseas travel, which will impact Raiders fans.
The Raiders play the New Zealand Warriors in Auckland next weekend - in an historic double header at Eden Park with the ACT Brumbies, who will play the Auckland Blues in their Super Rugby fixture.
"We now advise all Australians to reconsider your need to travel overseas at this time - regardless of your destination, age or health," Morrison said.
"If your travel is non-essential consider carefully whether now is the right time.
"We're effectively putting in place what is called level-three travel advice for Australians overseas."
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