Testing times for SPFL
JRG tell Premiership clubs to carry out daily Covid checks
SCOTTISH football’s Joint Response Group have issued enhanced protocols for Premiership clubs to follow in light of the rapid spread of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
From Monday, testing provision will be increased among Premiership clubs until the scheduled winter break commencing January 3.
Clubs in the top flight will now be required to undertake daily testing for all playing and team staff as part of these enhanced protocols.
This will be reviewed prior to the resumption of the fixture calendar after the fixture break.
The group say their tighter regulations come after the First Minister’s latest announcement on Friday, where she expressed “profound concern” regarding the acceleration of the virus as Christmas approaches.
Rod Petrie, Joint Response Group Chair: “We need no reminding that we are entering another challenging period in the country’s ongoing battle to suppress and overcome COVID-19 and, in particular, its emerging Omicron variant.
“Scottish football is not immune to the impact of the pandemic and we must be extra vigilant during this especially busy period prior to the winter break. We remain in regular dialogue with Scottish Government and their public health and public policy officials and in order to reinforce protection, we have today increased our protocols proportionately with the challenges presented to us.
“We are thankful to our clubs for their commitment to implement them provisionally until the winter break and are happy to support the effort to overcome the virus through the vaccination and booster programmes and stringent adherence to protocols and public health guidance.”
Further consultation has been scheduled for next week with the Scottish Women’s Premier League, Championship, League 1 and 2, and Scottish Highland and Lowland Football Leagues. T
In addition, all clubs are advised to demonstrate enhanced vigilance with public health guidance, including physical distancing, wearing of face coverings while indoors, and to reiterate the importance of hand sanitising regularly.