Six members of the 35-member squad tested positive last week when the team arrived in New Zealand from Pakistan and began its compulsory 14-day stay in managed isolation. The seventh member tested positive last Friday when players and officials were tested again on the third day of their isolation period.
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Ministry Of Health Concerned About Cross Infection Within The Players
“Following careful consideration, the Director-General of Health has today confirmed that he will not be granting the exemption which would allow the Pakistan men’s cricket team to leave their hotel to train in groups while completing their time in managed isolation in Christchurch,” the New Zealand Health Ministry revealed.
Dr. Ashley Bloomfield has concerns about the risk of cross-infection within the squad and he said he has ”very carefully” considered the situation. “I have very carefully considered this situation. At this time, I continue to have ongoing concerns about the risk of cross-infection within the squad,” Bloomfield said
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“There have been a number of active cases identified among the team. Public health considerations will continue to be foremost in our response to COVID-19, whether this involves individuals or teams. We appreciate the challenges that this decision will have for the touring team,” he added.
On Wednesday, the New Zealand Health Ministry had confirmed that one more member of the Pakistan cricket squad tested positive for coronavirus which had taken the total cases to number up to eight.
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New Zealand Health Ministry on Friday said that “laboratories are processing the Pakistan team’s day 9 swabs, which were taken yesterday. Full results are pending.” The squad was warned earlier by New Zealand’s director-general of health for breaching isolation protocols. The Pakistan players were guilty of sharing food, meeting in hallways, and were seen without masks which were seemingly not acceptable in this situation.
The PCB said that the board is in close contact with the Pakistan team management in New Zealand. It added that the squad has been informed when they will be able to return to training. Six members of the team tested positive earlier for COVID-19 upon their arrival in New Zealand. Later another member of the team tested positive conducted on Day 3 in the second round of testing.
Pakistan’s international series with New Zealand is set to begin from December 18, starting with the three-match T20I series, followed by two Tests. However, before that, the ‘A’ team will play two four-day games against New Zealand A, starting from December 10.
