COVID-19 UPDATE: Tuesday looms large as an important day in the immediate future of the COVID-19-hit Lions.

The Lions are at risk of having their season halted, if there is not a downturn in positive COVID-19 cases.

Following the decision to postpone the Super Rugby Unlocked match between Lions and Cheetahs – scheduled for Ellis Park this past Saturday – the next batch of tests will determine the way forward.

It all exploded into the public domain last week.

First there was confirmation of four positive cases, then the revelation that nine players had been left out of the matchday squad for the encounter with the Cheetahs as a result contact protocols and then the big bombshell on Saturday – the postponement of the match and confirmation that there were two additional positive cases.

Lions team doctor Rob Collins said there were “no close contacts” with the additional cases.

“The players were not at the union on Wednesday and ALL players wore surgical masks at all times when at the union,” Collins told @rugby365com, when asked about the possibility of additional close contact cases.

He added that the squad will be tested on Tuesday.

That will be followed by a meeting with the National Institute for Communicable Diseases – once the results are available.

“NICD will advise [us] on the process going forward, depending on the results,” Collins added.

He added that Tuesday’s results will also determine if the Round Four encounter between the Lions and Griquas – scheduled for Friday, October 30 at Ellis Park – will go ahead.

Rudolf Straeuli, Chief Executive Officer of the Lions Rugby Company, said a decision on the rescheduling of the postponed encounter with the Cheetahs rests with SA Rugby – “in consultation with the two franchises”.