In a big blow, one more Pakistan player has tested positive for COVID-19 taking the total to seven. The development, was confirmed by New Zealand's ministry of health. The officials are now in the process of identifying close contacts, including the flight contacts."The remainder of the results from the squad's Day 3 swab testing - apart from the six who have already returned a positive result, are negative," the media release said. "The Pakistan cricket team will be next undergoing day six testing as planned. The exemption to train while in managed isolation is on hold pending consideration by the Canterbury DHB medical officer of health that they are satisfied that training is unlikely to transmit COVID-19.
This ongoing consideration is expected to take until at least early next week. "As announced, any of the squad identified as a close contact would not meet the requirements for the exemption as there is a risk that they could transmit COVID-19 to fellow team mates. The Pakistan cricket squad members that arrived in New Zealand all met the agreed predeparture requirements for travel, including multiple PCR tests, and symptom checks. Exemptions allowing people to train while in managed isolation are very difficult to obtain and any team that receives such an exemption is in a privileged position."
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. A total of six cases were detected with four described as acute and two deemed as historical. The squad has been warned 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 seeing without masks. 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.
