GROUP 10 will meet with NSW Rugby League officials in the coming days to determine whether or not the recent COVID-19 scares across the region will force the competition into a short pause.
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NSW Health officials have confirmed a truck driver who delivered pet food to Parkes and Blayney, and then stopped at Bathurst, later tested positive to the virus.
On Monday, it was confirmed that three removalists who were knowingly COVID-positive before travelling west to Molong also stopped at Orange.
Group 10 chairman Linore Zamparini said COVID-19 restrictions will force Lithgow's premier league side to remain on the sidelines until the middle of August, with players from the Greater Sydney region unable to train or play with Workies until at least July 31.
That break will all but spell the end of the Workies' 2021 campaign. Lithgow has one win this season, but it was by default after Workies were awarded two competition points following a points-cap bungle from Mudgee.
Zamparini said Workies officials were resigned to their fate in premier league but said they'll maintain a presence in first division, under 18s and league tag for the rest of 2021.
He said Group 10 officials will liaise with Blayney following the potential exposure in that part of the region, adding a pause for the competition would be considered, but at this point is unlikely.
"I don't know if a pause would be fair on Bathurst, Mudgee or Orange ... we're on the home straight now," Zamparini said.
"But certainly if other cases pop up then we'd certainly have to look at it. We'll be talking to NSWRL."
Zamparini added the Greater Sydney lockdown extension will likely "wipe Workies out for the season".
Under NSWRL rules, each of Workies' games will now be deemed a draw.
