Testing times for Canberra Raiders' State of Origin star

The NSW Blues utility has been under stringent coronavirus protocols since going into State of Origin camp and it's not going to ease until at least Wednesday.

But despite a series of tests and restrictions, Wighton could still need an ACT government exemption to play the Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium on Saturday.

He spent a few hours at the NSW Rugby League centre of excellence in Sydney Olympic Park on Monday, which falls in the period the ACT government introduced stay-at-home restrictions for.

Canberra Raiders officials were working through those restrictions to see what it meant for both their Origin players - Wighton and Queensland enforcer Josh Papalii.

Papalii's been based in Queensland the whole time, but Wighton did have a brief stop in Sydney before the Blues team relocated to Kingscliff - just south of the Queensland border.

According to ACT government regulations those few hours before flying north could mean Wighton has to stay at home for 14 days, but The Canberra Times can reveal the strict biosecurity measures the Blues have put in place to help ensure he can face the Titans.

He had a COVID-19 test upon arrival in NSW camp and another on Saturday night.

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

The Blues were confined to their Brisbane hotel since Friday night and were only allowed to leave for the captain's run and the game.

They'll take a chartered flight back to Sydney, where Wighton and Papalii will have a private driver - wearing personal protective equipment - bring them back to Canberra.

Then Wighton will have to isolate at home for 48 hours before having another COVID-19 test on Wednesday.

It's hoped he'd then be able to rejoin his Raiders teammates to prepare for the Titans clash.

While the Sydney-based NRL players were already under level three Apollo protocols, the Raiders players weren't - given there's currently no coronavirus in the ACT.

But there was the feeling the Raiders players might be put on the same level-three restrictions later in the week given they will be playing against teams from around the country.

The ACT government confirmed Wighton was subject to the stay-at-home order, but could go to work if it couldn't be done at home.

"Any person who has been in Greater Sydney on or after 21 June will be subject to stay-at-home requirements until at least Friday, July 9 or 14 days after leaving the area, whichever is earlier," an ACT Health spokesperson said.

"They will be able to leave their residence for essential purposes, which includes for essential work if it cannot be done at home.

"ACT Health is working with the Canberra Raiders throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to minimise the risk of COVID-19 for players, staff and spectators."

There were reports the Raiders-Titans game would have a reduced-capacity crowd of 50 per cent, but the ACT government confirmed to The Canberra Times there were no current plans to limit the capacity at Canberra Stadium.

But the future of the Raiders' trip to Brookvale to play Manly on July 8 was still up in the air - given Sydney will still be in lockdown.

The NRL were frantically trying to find ways around the restrictions, putting the focus on keeping the competition running rather than looking after financial returns.

That could include teams flying in and out on game day, or relocating games or teams. There were no plans to relocate the Raiders at this stage.

Meanwhile, stood-down Raider Curtis Scott was in lockdown in Sydney having returned there while the NRL integrity unit investigated his alleged fight at a Canberra nightclub last month.

It was hoped the integrity unit would finalise any sanctions this week.

NRL ROUND 16

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans at Canberra Stadium, 5.30pm.