The New Zealand Warriors are set to arrive in Tamworth on Sunday afternoon after government authorities gave the NRL team the green light to quarantine in the city.
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The Australian Border Force clearance was the final piece of the the puzzle of an ambitious quarantine plan which will see the New Zealand side isolate in Tamworth for the mandatory 14 days prior to the competition kicking off.
Under the plan the Tamworth Airport has been given temporary international status with Border Force staff based in Newcastle travelling to Tamworth to manage immigration procedures.
In a media statement released on Saturday following the announcement, Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V'Landys thanked the federal and state government for their assistance in the matter.
"This is an excellent outcome for rugby league and another step towards the competition resuming on May 28," V'Landys said.
"I want to thank the federal and state governments, in particular Border Force and NSW State Emergency Operation Centre for their assistance in making the Warriors arrival a reality."
"The club will follow the strictest biosecurity protocols and, like all clubs, will participate in an education day about the protocols on Monday morning."
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As part of the transformation of the club into the Warriors' training headquarters, the Mecure's event centre has been turned into a fully-equipped gym. A basketball court has also been set up in the carpark.
Warriors CEO CEO Cameron George said as a club they are "both relieved and excited that our requests have now been taken care of to our satisfaction".
"We have never wavered in our commitment to be involved in supporting the resumption of the season. We're now ready to go and couldn't be happier about the prospect of being back on the field at the end of the month," he said.
"It has been a challenging and often frustrating time for all parties over the last few weeks with so many issues on the table but it has finally come together as of today."
"We're exceptionally grateful to both the Australian and New South Wales governments for granting us an exemption and we respect the process they've had to work through."
He said a group of 50 staff and players had begun departure preparations ahead of taking a charter flight to Australia tomorrow.
