It's just two days after the NRL and the remodelled Super Rugby competitions were shut down due to the virus and both teams are being forced to cut costs already.

They're looking at a range of measures, including taking enforced leave, while some people will lose their jobs.

The NRL has been suspended indefinitely, while the Super Rugby domestic competition has been put on hold until at least May 1.

Raiders chief executive Don Furner will address the media to spell out the financial implications for the club and their employees on Thursday.

The Raiders have contractors as well as permanent staff, on top of the players and coaching staff.

Just as businesses and workers across Australia are losing their income and jobs, professional sport is also being affected.

"We're working through it. There's going to be lost jobs. There's going to be people stood down," Furner said.

Brumbies boss Phil Thomson expected there to be an update on what it meant for his staff later in the week.

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

There had been a hope Super Rugby could resume as a domestic competition in Australia in April, but the closing of Australia's state and territory borders ended that plan before it began.

"There is going to be pain felt right across the sporting industry," Thomson said.

"We're just working through that at the moment with Rugby Australia and all of the Super Rugby clubs.

"There is obviously a severe impact on our businesses, which has been highlighted by what is happening in other sports like the NRL and AFL.

"We're just working through what that modelling looks like for our financial structure and personnel. It's a bit of ongoing work at the moment.

"Everyone is going through it, sport is no different to the majority of industries in society. It's a tough time for everyone, it's having a massive impact and continues to by the day.

"At the moment we're just working through what that all actually looks like in ongoing meetings. At the moment our office is closed and staff is working from home."

Part of the problem is no one knows when the pandemic is going to end.

China is starting to come out the other end after an eight-week lockdown, while Australia is introducing more and more restrictions on a daily basis to try and reduce the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

People are being advised to stay in their homes unless it's absolutely necessary.

All professional sports are hoping to return at some point this year, but when that is nobody knows.

"It's just that uncertainty around the timeline and what it looks like over the next one, two, three months. What is the timeline? It's so unknown," Thomson said.

It's a similar situation in the NRL, with Furner constantly keeping in touch with the league and the other clubs.

"We've got a phone hook-up again on Friday so I'll tune into the phone hook-up on Friday. They're going day to day too," he said.

"It's all changing very quickly. We're doing the same as them, it's very fluid and they're informing us as much as they can."