Testing triumph a boost for EPL
THE English Premier League’s hopes of restarting the season on June 17 have been given a boost after no positive results were returned in the latest round of coronavirus tests.
A total of 1195 players and club staff were tested in the sixth screening session, which took place late last week and yielded the second all-clear.
“The Premier League can confirm that on Thursday June 4 and Friday June 5, 1195 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, zero have tested positive,” the league said in a statement.
The news is another step in the right direction for the league, which is scheduled to resume on June 17.
There were six positive cases from three clubs in round one, two from two clubs in round two, a further four from two clubs in round three, none from round four and one from round five. That means there have been a total of 13 positives from 6274 tests administered.
Testing will continue on a twice-weekly basis.
When the action does resume, stadiums will be divided into three zones as clubs work towards agreeing on match-day protocols. Clubs met on Friday to discuss some of the logistics, and West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has revealed how stadiums will be split into three sections.
“We are now in the process of agreeing the matchday protocols, which will include everything from zoning the stadium into red, amber and green zones,” Brady said in the Sun.
“Red zone will be the most severely restricted area, including the pitch, the tunnel, technical areas, changing rooms will be limited to 105 people maximum, to include players, coaching staff, match officials and all the essential staff only.
“And only those who have tested negative for COVID-19 in the past five days can enter this area.
“The amber zone will be restricted to the minimum number of staff required to meet contractual requirements for broadcasting, media and club staff. This area includes all interior areas within the stadium, and anyone entering this area will be subject to a temperature check and a health questionnaire. And the green zone is the stadium exterior, for example, car parking.”