When the clock strikes midnight on Tuesday the ACT government changes will come into effect meaning close contacts of people who have COVID-19 no longer have to isolate unless they have symptoms.

That will flow on to the Green Machine ahead of their crucial clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Redcliffe on Saturday.

They still have to follow the ACT government guidelines, like wearing a face mask in all indoor settings outside of their own home and not being allowed to go to high-risk setting's like hospitals and aged-care facilities.

Like a lot of NRL clubs, the Raiders have been hit by the coronavirus this season, both through players contracting the virus or simply being close contacts.

Raiders centre Sebastian Kris has had two stints in isolation as a close contact without even catching the virus.

That's forced him to miss three games already, while he also missed the weekend due to a head knock in his return in NSW Cup.

They also had Sam Williams and Matt Frawley ruled out just hours before kick-off in one of their pre-season trials.

Williams tested positive to a rapid antigen test before he got on the team bus to go to the game, which also ruled Frawley out as a close contact because they were roommates.

"If you're a close contact with somebody in your household they've just got to test and monitor for symptoms, but they don't have to stay away for a week," Raiders chief executive Don Furner told The Canberra Times on Tuesday.

"We had a few of those earlier in the year, so thankfully we won't have that [anymore]."

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Raiders coach Ricky Stuart said it was a welcome relief as the club continues to battle injuries and isolations that are not only affecting their NRL side.

They've got three players out of their senior squad with long-term injuries - Josh Hodgson (knee) and Harley Smith-Shields (knee) for the rest of the season, and Jamal Fogarty (knee) for up to 15 games.

But their lower grades have also been hit, with 17 players currently unavailable for the under-21 Jersey Flegg Cup side.

"It's certainly cost a number of players games this season to date so it's good that it's now lifted," Stuart said.

"The health authorities are now asking for commonsense in regards to being a close contact which is really important in our situation because we can't afford it to be spread amongst a number of players.

"There's been a number of players who have missed games so far and it's very costly not having players available.

"It's not just first grade. We've got 60-odd players to oversee."

NRL ROUND EIGHT

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v New Zealand Warriors at Redcliffe, 3pm.

Raiders squad: 1. Jordan Rapana, 2. Nick Cotric, 3. Matt Timoko, 4. Semi Valemei, 5. Xavier Savage, 6. Jack Wighton, 7. Brad Schneider, 8. Josh Papalii, 9. Tom Starling, 10. Joe Tapine, 11. Hudson Young, 12. Elliott Whitehead (c), 13. Ryan Sutton. Interchange: 14. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 15. Corey Harawira-Naera, 16. Adam Elliott, 17. Corey Horsburgh. Reserves: 18. Harry Rushton, 19. Matt Frawley, 20. Jarrod Croker, 21. Emre Guler, 22. Trey Mooney, 23. James Schiller, 24. Peter Hola.

Warriors squad: 1. Reece Walsh, 2. Rocco Berry, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Adam Pompey, 5. Viliami Vailea, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Shaun Johnson, 8. Addin Fonua-Blake, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Matt Lodge, 11. Euan Aitken, 12. Bayley Sironen, 13. Jazz Tevaga. Interchange: 14. Taniela Otukolo, 15. Bunty Afoa, 16. Eliesa Katoa, 17. Jack Murchie. Reserves: 18. Edward Kosi, 20. Ben Murdoch-Masila, 21. Daejarn Asi, 22. Pride Petterson-Robati, 23. Junior Ratuva, 24. Valingi Kepu, 25. Jackson Frei.

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