Newcastle's 20-0 win over the Warriors at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday was the last opportunity for Knights fans to see their side in action for an unknown amount of time.

The season is on the cusp of being postponed after the Warriors were told they would have to self-isolate for two weeks upon returning to New Zealand.

The NRL had already elected to play matches behind closed doors from round two onward, which was a decision that disappointed the Knights fans the Newcastle Herald spoke at Saturday's match but one they could understand.

Season-ticket holders Kevin Rushworth, 62, and Ron Wood, 64, backed the decision to lock-out fans but want members that have paid fees to be looked after.

"I understand that it's the right thing to do for the community, but I just hope they look after the guys that have bought yearly memberships," Mr Rushworth, of Clarence Town, said.

"I don't really think they should reimburse you, I'd be happy if they gave us credits for next year.

"The only thing that sort of worries you is if you don't have some sort of subscription then you only get three free-to-air games you can watch."

Mr Wood, of Adamstown Heights, said the lock-out was "frustrating" but he could understand the government's advice for events of more than 500 people to be cancelled.

"I'd rather be at the games but the safety of people is paramount," he said.

"We've just got to suck it up at the moment.

"You hear about these other countries so I can understand why they're doing it."

Mr Rushworth said he had "an elderly dad in aged care" so "he could understand the precaution".

"But forever everyone else, it's like an influenza virus - we're all going to get it, probably, but you'll get over it and get on with life," he said.

Warners Bay's Lee Bailey, a season-ticket holder for the past four years and a Knights fan for more than two decades, said it was the right call.

"It's for the players' safety, and everyone's safety, so it's got to be done I think," she said.

"They've got to make a call, they've got a duty of care.

"I thought it was overkill, but when I stopped and thought about it; fair enough, I suppose. But if you're sick you shouldn't be coming here anyway."

Ms Bailey, 51, was undeterred about the potential risk of coming to Saturday's game.

"Not at all, we bought two liitle kids with us," she said.

"If we're going to get it, we're going to get it. The thing I don't understand is we're allowed to go to a shopping centre, where there are more than 500 people, but we come to a football game and it's all hysteria."

Lizzy Smit arrived in Newcastle from South Africa earlier this week for a month of work. She was attending her first ever game of rugby league and said she was aware of the situation in Australia before arriving.

"I actually wore a mask, I was prepared, and then one of the ladies that sat in front of me was super sick for the entire flight so we were worried and then we landed, we had to sit there for half an hour while they checked her out," the 28-year-old said.

"So that made it quite real for me. I'm a little concerned now but I don't know how much I can do to prevent it.

"I'm washing my hands twice as much and taking immune boosters."

Clarence Town's Mitch Maytom said he was never going to miss the opening round of the season.

"I've brought my daughter to the match, I'm not too worried about it," he said.

"Other than the weather today, the coronavirus probably turned a few off, but I don't think people are worried."

The 30-year-old said it would be "pretty weird" for the players to play without fans next week and postponing games might be best.

"I think they done it the other week in the trial against the Roosters," he joked.

"But I couldn't imagine they're too happy about it. But they're athletes, they've got to get up every day and go to work too. It's up to them I suppose.

Mr Maytom said the coronavirus outbreak had started to impacted his workplace.

"I'm a courier, I associated with people all day," he said.

"One of the companies we work for have got a policy now that their drivers don't have to hand over papers to get them signed. It's drop the parcel, let them pick it up and that will do."