New Zealand health authorities have found West Indies players breaching the quarantine rules in their hotels for which they will now be not allowed for training. The Caribbean has landed New Zealand to play a three-match T20I and Two-match Test series.
New Zealand health authorities used CCTV to capture rule-breaking from the Windies players, including sharing meals and mingling in groups. Those freedoms are not allowed by Kiwi health authorities who are following the letter of the law while trying to maintain New Zealand’s COVID-free status.
“It is a privilege to come here but in return they have to stick to the rules,” said Ashley Bloomfield, Director General of Health.
“Keeping COVID-19 out of our communities and keeping our staff safe depends on it. They didn’t do that, despite agreeing to abide by the parameters of the exemption.”
Bloomfield cautioned if there were any further concerns, their stay in quarantine could be lengthened.
New Zealand vs West Indies tour to begin from November 27:
After passing two initial COVID-19 tests, the visitors were allowed to train at Lincoln University together. Still, after breaching the rules, they are not allowed to train further while will be confined to their hotel rooms in Christchurch where they have been residing for the past 12 days.
The good news for the West Indies is they won’t be confined for long; Friday is the end of their 14-day mandatory isolation, meaning they will be tested today and released before the weekend if no issues arise.
Meanwhile, the T20I series will start on November 27 when the first match will be hosted in Eden Park. The second and third matches of the series will be played on November 29 and 30 respectively. Seddon Park will host the first Test match from December 3-6 while the second Test match will be played in Basin Reserve.