Ashes 2021 LIVE: Sydney Test not at risk over COVID rules- After Cricket Australia’s assurance for smooth conduct of remaining fixtures, now New South Wales (NSW) health minister Brad Hazzard has confirmed that the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing rules pose no threat to the fourth Ashes Test in Sydney. Follow Ashes 2021 live updates on InsideSport.IN
Uncertainty hung over the third Test at MCG, Melbourne with three members of England’s support staff and three of their family members were placed in isolation after testing positive. The fourth Test will be played from January 5-9 at the SCG, with Australia having retained the Ashes after winning the first three games.
Ashes 2021 LIVE: Sydney Test not at risk over COVID rules, says New South Wales Health Minister
The Test, which Australia wrapped up on Tuesday with an innings-and-14-run win, went ahead after the players returned negative PCR tests.
NSW recorded just over 6,000 new cases on Monday and close contacts are required to isolate for a week, but Hazzard said NSW Health would work with Victorian health authorities to manage any cases so that the next Ashes Test can proceed.
“The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) Test is sacred, an important date at the start of the third year of our life with COVID-19,” Hazzard said.
“I want to assure the cricket-loving public, under our rules any players with exposure to a known case of COVID-19 would be asked to test and isolate only until a negative result was received.
“If there are any cases within the teams, their support staff, or families, we will work with the people involved to ensure they are safe, and there is as little disruption to others as possible.”
Ashes 2021 LIVE: CA confident Ashes series not in jeopardy- Cricket Australia is confident that the series will go ahead as planned. “If further dramas hit the Test, like-for-like substitutes can be used after being approved by the ICC last year for players showing symptoms,” said a report published by Cricket Australia.
CEO Nick Hockley put aside all the fears giving a green signal to Sydney & Hobart Test.
“This is what we’ve all been working towards, this is what the protocols are for,” Hockley told reporters.
“Clearly we are being extra vigilant as there are increasing cases in the community. But our protocols are designed for this set of events. We’ve got very comprehensive testing regimes and the players have been absolutely fantastic. It’s ultimately about everyone taking personal responsibility. We’ll keep working hard to make sure, primarily, everyone is kept very safe,” he added.
He further added that charter planes would be used and hotels will take care to ensure minimum risk amid the ongoing COVID situation in Australia.
“We’ve got great confidence in the protocols. There are increasing case numbers in New South Wales but in Sydney we’ve got an exclusive property, we’re flying there by charter. This is something we’re having to live with … absolutely we’re committed to continuing the tour,” Hockey signed off.
Ashes 2021 LIVE: Sydney Test not at risk over COVID rules, says New South Wales health minister
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