New Zealand Cricket has given a “final warning” to the Pakistan cricket team after six players tested positive for the coronavirus and CCTV footage showed the squad breaching isolation rules and other COVID-19 protocols.
The New Zealand health ministry has directed that players will be tested “a minimum of four times while in managed isolation” and all members of the squad will be confined to their rooms.
Reports said that the ministry justified the warning after several members of the Pakistan cricket team were seen on CCTV “breaching managed isolation rules, despite clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviours”.
“The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning. It is a privilege to come to New Zealand to play sport, but in return teams must stick to the rules that are designed to keep COVID-19 out of our communities and keep our staff safe,” said a top health official.
A report in Lokmat English said that the players were seen mingling with each other without adhering to social distancing rules, without masks and sharing food.
The six members who have returned positive results are at the quarantine division of the regulated isolation facility in Christchurch. In New Zealand, where the virus has been largely contained, these new cases have come like an outbreak, reports have said.
Before leaving Pakistan, the contingent with 54 members, including 20 officials, had tested negative for COVID-19 four times. However, the squad’s first round of testing revealed six members to have contracted the virus.
“While this is disappointing for the Pakistan squad, the testing outcomes and the actions taken show the Government system is working,” NZC said in a statement.
“We will be having discussions with the tourists to assist them in understanding the requirements. NZC considers public health and safety to be paramount in the hosting of international teams, and is supportive of the Ministry of Health and Government position,” it further said.
The visitors are supposed to undergo three tests during the 14-day quarantine period.
Pakistan is in New Zealand for the tour starting on December 18 with a three-match T20I series and a two-match Test series.
