Seven members of England’s ODI team have infected the Coronavirus, and the team has been placed in quarantine just days before the start of the ODI series against Pakistan.
In coordination with Public Health England Public Health Wales and Bristol Local Health Authority, those affected will now follow a period of “those affected will now follow a period of self quarantine on 4th July following the UK government’s protocol.
The remaining members of the party have been deemed close contacts and will also isolate, the ECB statement said.
“The rest of the party has been classified as strong ties and will be isolated as well.”
In order to avoid an outbreak, the ECB has made the strategic decision to try to alter protocols in order to assist our players’overall health.
Tom Harrison, the ECB’s chief executive, said “We have been mindful that the emergence of the Delta variant, along with our move away from the stringent enforcement of biosecure environments, could increase the chances of an outbreak. We made a strategic choice to try to adapt protocols, in order to support the overall wellbeing of our players and management staff who have spent much of the last 14 months living in very restricted conditions.”
The ECB can confirm that seven members of the England Men's ODI party have tested positive for COVID-19.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 6, 2021
“Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to captain. We also recognize the impact this news will have on our first-class counties and their men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic.”
