THE AFL has today moved to further protect the health and wellbeing of all players, officials, umpires and staff who currently reside in Victorian Government declared hot zones, by temporarily relocating them to alternative accommodation.

Players, officials, umpires, club football department staff and AFL match day staff living in hot zones or on the borders of hot zones will have new temporary accommodation by midnight (AEST) tonight, Wednesday July 1.

AFL Chief Executive Gillon McLachlan said health and wellbeing of all players and staff remains paramount and the AFL is working closely with all clubs to ensure any player or staff member impacted is supported with seeking alternative accommodation.

"The health and wellbeing of everyone in our industry has been the number one priority since the COVID-19 pandemic first hit. As a precautionary measure we have taken the step of working with clubs to temporarily relocate the players, club football department staff, umpires and officials living in the Victorian Government declared hot zones.” Mr McLachlan said.

"I thank everyone for their understanding and willingness to play their part. At every turn throughout the last four months the people involved in football continue to make the sacrifices to ensure we protect the health and wellbeing of not only the AFL competition but the wider community,”

"We will continue to be guided by the advice of the State Governments and relevant medical officials and we will continue to ensure all our decisions are anchored in the advice of those governments to ensure we protect the wider Australian community as well as our players and staff.”