Mixing in hotel hallways, sharing food and not always wearing masks were the clear violations of strict Covid-19 isolation protocols in New Zealand that have led to 6 Pakistan cricters test positive for the deadly virus. Dr Ashley Bloomfield, New Zealand's director-general of health, claimed that several members of the team had breached the protocol by when they were supposed to be in isolation. All the members of the Pakistan team had tested negative in the four tests done in Lahore before leaving for New Zealand. Upon arrival, they were tested again before heading to the isolation facility in Christchurch."All six of the positive tests were players, not the other members of their squad. It's possible they could have infected other team members, but the key point is that everyone in the squad is treated as if they may have Covid," Bloomfield told RNZ on Friday (November 27). "At least four of those are acute infections and the others may be historical ones, but that's being confirmed. The fact that these infections were found when they were tested on arrival in the country suggests that there may well be others that we uncover during that day three testing. "Rather than being in their own rooms which is the requirement for the first three days until that first test comes back, there was some mingling in the hallways, chatting, sharing food and not wearing masks which was obvious on the CCTV footage."
New Zealand's Ministry of Health has given a final warning to the touring team and they will now have to continue remaining in isolation and training exemption will not apply, which would have otherwise, had they had returned negative results after the Day 3 testing.On Thursday, New Zealand Cricket had stated in a release: "In line with the protocols governing the squad's entry into New Zealand, the six members of the squad will be moved to the quarantine arm of the managed isolation facility. As a consequence, the Pakistan team's exemption to train while in managed isolation has been put on hold until investigations have been completed."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."
Meanwhile, PCB CEO Wasim Khan told their players through an audio message on WhatsApp that they'll be sent back home if they breach rules one more time."Boys, I spoke to the New Zealand government and they told us there were three or four breaches of protocols," Wasim Khan said as per ESPNCricinfo. "They have a zero-tolerance policy and they've given us a final warning. We understand that this is a difficult time for you, and you went through similar conditions in England. It's not easy. But this is a matter of the nation's respect and credibility. Observe these 14 days and then you'll have the freedom to go to restaurants and roam about freely. They have told me in clear terms that if we commit one more breach, they'll send us home.Pakistan's international assignments with New Zealand are set to begin from December 18, 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.
