THE CARLTON Football Club can confirm CEO Brian Cook has tested positive to COVID-19.

All AFL players, administration staff and select football staff, have today been instructed to get tested, immediately self-isolate at home and not return to the Club until they receive a negative result, as per DHHS guidelines.

Tomorrow had already been scheduled as a day off for the AFL program.

The Club’s recruiting team have not been deemed close contacts and therefore have been cleared to attend tonight’s NAB AFL Draft.

The Blues’ AFLW program has also not been impacted and has been cleared to continue its training program.

Cook, who is fully vaccinated, said he will now isolate at home for the next 10 days as per Victorian Government guidelines.

“My main concern is the health and safety of our people, I sincerely appreciate all of them getting tested this afternoon at short notice,” Cook said.

“I am feeling okay, thankfully - which is further evidence of why it is so important for people to be vaccinated. Getting vaccinated is not only our way of getting back to our normal lives but is how each of us can play our part and return the favour to help the incredible health and medical professionals who have worked so tirelessly for all of us since the pandemic began.

“As we have seen across the competition this situation is simply now a reality and further emphasises why we have such clear protocols in place by the AFL to ensure our competition can continue to operate.

“Thank you to everyone who has already sent through their well-wishes, I will now isolate at home and once fully recovered, look forward to getting back to work.”