Fans flock to the MCG for last year's season-opener. Picture: AFL Photos

FRUSTRATED footy fans locked out of fixtures for round one of the AFL season due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic will get their money back.

The AFL announced on Friday that the 2020 season will go ahead as planned, but spectators would not be permitted to attend fixtures for the foreseeable future, starting with Thursday's traditional season opener between Richmond and Carlton at the MCG.

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This is part of the strategy put in place the League to protect players, coaches, umpires, officials, patrons and anyone else who would normally be at games, from the fast-moving virus.

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It comes on the back of advice from medical authorities.

In a statement released by League boss Gillon McLachlan, the AFL said that spectators who have purchased tickets for round one via Ticketmaster and Ticketek will receive a refund.

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No decision has been made on how members of any club, AFL or venue will be affected, but the statement said that those involved will be informed in coming days.

The AFL has a working group in place that continues to monitor the coronavirus situation, and how the event affects the rest of the footy season, in both the AFL and AFLW competitions, is still unclear.