NEWCASTLE Jets executive chairman Shane Mattiske has highlighted the importance of accelerating the rates of vaccination in the community after the club was impacted by the growing Hunter COVID-19 cluster.
Four players were tested on Tuesday and are required to isolate for 14 days after visiting an identified case location.
As a precaution, the remainder of the players and staff have been tested and are isolating until they receive negative test results.
"We have been following all the COVID protocols and are complying with the guidelines," Mattiske said. "Unfortunately there are a large number of venues which are COVID hot spots.
"For us, it is an opportunity to re-enforce to everyone in the community to be careful. With the number of active COVID cases in the Hunter region, the club encourages everyone to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
"Ultimately that is a personal decision.
"Until we have a high rate of vaccination, we will continue to have this sort of disruption."
Mattiske was confident the disruption would not have a major impact on pre-season training, which is in its fourth week.
"Whilst there are four players who have to complete a 14-day period, we will adapt," he said. "We started earlier than any other team in the competition in terms of training.
"We still feel like we are well prepared for the upcoming season."
The Hunter recorded 14 new infections on Wednesday.
