Club Statement
9 August 2021
Following lateral flow tests conducted as part of the Club’s regular programme of self-testing, Gloucestershire can confirm that three unnamed members of the playing staff have tested positive for COVID-19. This has been confirmed by PCR tests taken on Saturday.
All of the playing squad immediately began self-isolating while awaiting the result of the PCR tests.
Due to the isolation protocols and impact on the available playing squad, the decision was made in conjunction with the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to abandon the fixture against Middlesex on the 8th August.
The Club remains in close contact with the ECB and will communicate further detail regarding upcoming fixtures pending additional guidance.
Gloucestershire Cricket Chief Executive, Will Brown said:
“As a Club, we have operated a robust testing regime among all staff throughout the return to cricket and have maintained clear safety regulations and protocols in place even after the easing of government restrictions of the 19th July.
Our playing squads have acted with the highest standards of professionalism throughout the pandemic and through Club and ECB guidance are still subject to much greater social restrictions than the majority of the general public. All members of the playing squad from Friday against Hampshire returned negative lateral flow tests prior to the start of the match.
This incident, as with others across cricket highlight the fact that sport is not exempt from the pandemic, and I’d like to thank the Club’s medical and venue staff, as well as the ECB for their immediate response in safely handling the matter.
It is of course a great disappointment to see the abandonment of a fixture, but the safety of all players, staff and supporters must always come first and the Club is grateful for the understanding of supporters.
Our thoughts are with the affected players and their families and we wish them all a speedy recovery.”
