Richmond Football Club remains very much open for business, despite having to stand down a number of staff this week.

The Club – and the entire AFL industry – is navigating the significant financial impact of the coronavirus and that has meant some difficult decisions have had to be made, Richmond chief executive Brendon Gale said.

“It is incredibly hard asking staff to stand down or work on reduced hours for a period of time,” Gale said.

“These people have all made a significant contribution to building a Club that our fans are proud to be a part of.

“The responsibility of those remaining at the Club is to work as hard as we possibly can in the coming months and sustain a business that will welcome these wonderful people back as soon as possible."

And to that end, Richmond Football Club is still very much open for business.

“Our membership lines are open, our on-line retail business is open, our digital team are on deck and will work to deliver our fans some great content that will keep them engaged while the season is on hold,” Gale said.

“And, of course, we will work with our fantastic partners, and be as innovative as we can, to deliver them the value they deserve in return for the fantastic support they provide us.

“Beyond that, Korin Gamadji Institute and Bachar Houli Foundation staff will maintain their important work, engaging key communities through innovative digital programming.

“The Richmond Institute of Sports Leadership will continue to deliver its education program and our health and recreation business, Aligned Leisure, will continue to build despite the current interruption to its business.

“So there is much hard work to be done. We owe that to our members, supporters and partners. And we owe it to our staff who are enduring some difficult times like so many Australians are right now.

“We will get through this together.”