Essendon players leave the field after Saturday night's loss to Carlton. Picture: AFL Photos

STAFF, coaches and players living in Victorian COVID-19 hotspots are in a mad scramble to find temporary accommodation by midnight tonight or else they will be locked out of New South Wales.

The NSW government has banned people from the 10 hotspot postcodes in Victoria from entering the state.

Clubs were informed of the decision on Wednesday morning by the AFL.

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The AFL is considering moving multiple Victorian-based clubs to a quarantine hub in Sydney in order to play matches in the coming weeks.

Queensland and South Australia have shut their borders to Victorian residents for the time being, unless they are willing to quarantine for 14 days.

The Western Bulldogs, North Melbourne and Essendon all have multiple players/staff living in these areas. 

North Melbourne captain Jack Ziebell was one of those who had to move on Wednesday.

The club organised an Airbnb on the other side of the city for the skipper to move into temporarily.

Despite the fact the Bulldogs and Kangaroos have already playing both Sydney and GWS, it is possible they could play other Victorian teams in a NSW hub.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan says the health and safety of all those impacted is crucial and the league will work closely with clubs to find alternative accommodation.

"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." 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." 

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