Cardiff charter flight home after ‘panic attacks’ in stranded group
The Welsh Government was accused of an “appalling” lack of empathy as players and officials of Cardiff Rugby were preparing to fly back from South Africa after reports of panic attacks and “serious mental health issues” among the tour party.
Cardiff had not been able to return from Cape Town since their
United Rugby Championship matches against the Lions and Stormers, scheduled for Nov 27 and Dec 4, were postponed on Friday, along with all other round six and seven matches in the championship that were due to be played in South Africa, which had been placed on the UK Government’s red list following the discovery of the omicron variant of Covid-19. On Sunday, two members of the Cardiff group tested positive, with one case suspected to be the new variant.
That required the party to isolate in individual hotel rooms, and Beth Fisher, the ITV Wales sports reporter, tweeted yesterday that there were “serious concerns” about the health and wellbeing of Cardiff staff. “Individuals are having panic attacks and there are serious mental health issues within the group,” she posted.
“There are individuals with preexisting health conditions which are not being helped by the quarantine.
Cardiff have a plane secured and had an exclusive hotel in Cardiff that had agreed to take both them and the Scarlets, but the Welsh Government have not approved.”
Eluned Morgan, the Welsh minister for health and social services, suggested it would not be possible for them to undertake their 10-day isolation in Wales.
“There are no places in Wales where they can be accommodated because we don’t have those hotels in Wales,” she said. “It is because we don’t have an international airport that brings people in from red list or potential red list countries.”
Rhys Blumberg, Cardiff’s chief operating officer, later tweeted: “Absolutely appalling empathy and support shown by @Welshgovernment with regards to @Cardiff_ Rugby staff who are stuck in South Africa. No special treatment required, just support to get them back on Welsh soil so they can start their quarantine.”
The club last night confirmed they had secured a charter flight for tomorrow morning with help from URC and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Barring those needing to remain in South Africa to complete 10 days of isolation, they will quarantine in a UK Government Covid-19 hotel in England for 10 days.