One additional member of the Pakistan Cricket squad has today tested positive during routine testing. 

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 according to the Ministry of Health.

The Pakistan Cricket Team will be next undergoing day six testing as planned.

Since their arrival, several team members have been seen on CCTV at the facility breaching managed isolation rules, despite clear, consistent and detailed communication of expected behaviours while in the facility.
The team as a whole has been issued with a final warning from the Ministry of Health.

It’s important to note that all incidents of breaches occurred within the facility and there is no risk to the public.

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 per usual protocols, the latest case has been interviewed and close contacts, including flight contacts, have been, or are in the process of being, contacted.

Everyone who arrived on the same flight as the Pakistan Cricket Team is currently staying in an MIQ facility to carry out their 14 days in isolation.

As announced yesterday, 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 pre-departure requirements for travel, including multiple PCR tests, and symptom checks.

In a statement released today, the Ministry of Health said 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.