RESIDENTS of Sydney suburbs banned from attending the Sydney Cricket Ground for the third Test will also be prohibited from Newcastle Jets matches at McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday.
A Venues NSW spokeswoman said on Wednesday the stadium's "rigorous COVID safety plans" had been enhanced for the A-League Jets versus Western Sydney Wanderers and W-League Jets versus Sydney FC double-header, which will be hosted at no more than 50 per cent capacity.
"We review and adjust our protocols and protections in preparation for each event, in consultation with NSW Health and other stakeholders," she said.
"All patrons from the identified hot spots, including the northern zone of the Northern Beaches and selected postcodes in Western Sydney, will not be permitted to attend.
"Those who have purchased tickets will be refunded."
Attendees are "strongly encouraged" to wear masks.
Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp said he welcomed Venues NSW's decision, but it needed to be reinforced by a Department of Health Public Health Order.
"They won't have the authority to fine, so it's a paper tiger," Mr Crakanthorp said.
"The Jets and Venues NSW should not be necessarily doing the government's work here, the government should be setting the standard."
He said the absence of a Public Health Order for the matches was a "huge double standard".
The Newcastle Herald asked NSW Health about the consequences for hotspot residents who tried to attend. Greater Sydney residents have already been encouraged to limit non-essential gatherings and reduce their mobility where possible.
The Public Health Order for the third test match, which starts Thursday, specifies that anyone who lives, works or has stayed overnight in Auburn, Birrong, Belmore, Berala, Lidcombe, Potts Hill, Regents Park, Rookwood or Wentworthville is banned.
Residents of the northern zone of the Northern Beaches are also prohibited.
They risk a $1000 fine.
Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said on Wednesday - before Venues NSW's announcement - that attending the cricket was '"markedly different" to the football, and NSW Health had been working with Venues NSW.
"The view has remained that the steps they've taken are working," he said.
"Obviously cricket presents a little different issue and that is there's literally five days and in some cases the real enthusiasts will be there for five days and possibly for ten to 12 hours, whereas into a footy match and out again you're probably there for a couple of hours.
"It's markedly different. But again it's balancing the risk with the outcome."
Mr Crakanthorp described Mr Hazzard's comments as "absolutely pathetic" and said COVID-19 was "extremely contagious", even after a short period of exposure.
He and Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery had written to Mr Hazzard and Minister for Sport Geoff Lee, requesting the NSW Chief Health Officer apply the SCG suburb exclusions to the matches.
"The M1 Motorway runs in both directions - if the health risk from residents of these suburbs applies to the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday the same risk also applies to McDonald Jones Stadium on Friday."
He said the Hunter had "worked so hard" and marked 152 days without a case, but this had been put "at risk".
Sydney-based Jets fan Ricki Taylor had already decided not to travel from Yagoona to the matches before Venues NSW's announcement, saying any short term pain was worth it for the long term gain of community safety and a faster return to normality.
"Common sense has prevailed," he said of the Venues NSW decision.
"But I'm surprised the government didn't say anything."
He said he was glad there had been clarity for fans around attendance and he was interested to see how the ban would be enforced.
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