New Zealand Cricket has confirmed that it has found the touring West Indies squad to have "repeatedly" violated quarantine rules in Christchurch after some members of the squad were found socialising in the hallways of their hotel and sharing food between the two separate bubbles that the touring party had been bifurcated into. As a result, all members will now be denied training privileges for the remainder of their time in the bubble, which will end on Friday.
"Following an investigation, members of the team were confirmed to have repeatedly broken managed isolation rules. Many of these incidents have been captured on CCTV and have also been reported by staff. The incidents include groups mingling and sharing food. It's important to note that all incidents occurred within the hotel facility and there is no risk to the public," the ministry of health said on Wednesday (November 11).
"As with other sports teams that have come to New Zealand, the West Indies cricket team were given certain exemptions from the managed isolation rules which apply to everyone else. This included being able to be in larger bubbles and train in preparation for their international games," director general of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield said. "It is a privilege to come here but in return they have to stick to the rules. Keeping Covid-19 out of our communities and keeping our staff safe depends on it. They didn't do that, despite agreeing to abide by the parameters of the exemption."
Members of the West Indies squad are on a 14-day quarantine period, who will be tested on Wednesday. The local Medical Officer of Health will thereafter determine if or not the team qualifies to meet the low-risk indicators for their release from the bubble, following which, they will travel to Queenstown for two warm-up games against New Zealand A. However, the ministry has the power to extend their quarantine period beyond the stipulated time if it deems fit.
"There is no evidence, or suggestion, that any members of the touring party left the facility, or that any unauthorised persons accessed the facility," NZC said in a statement. "NZC is supportive of the Ministry of Health and Government position. NZC will continue working with the West Indies team and management, and relevant Government agencies to ensure there is no repeat of these violations."
Cricket West Indies has already begun an internal investigation into the reported incidents and issued a statement that read: "This morning, Cricket West Indies (CWI) was informed that some members of our New Zealand touring party had contravened the strict COVID-19 protocols within the team's Managed Isolation Facility in Christchurch.
"The New Zealand Ministry of Health has advised us that all members of the West Indies touring party will now be unable to train for the remainder of the quarantine period and will have to complete their quarantine within the Managed Isolation Facility only. CWI is in full support of the New Zealand Ministry of Health's position."
The West Indian and New Zealand players at the Indian Premier League that concluded on Tuesday night will fly in to the country on Thursday and isolate for 14 days, which will end a day prior to the opening T20I.
The first of three T20Is is scheduled to be played at Eden Park, before the teams move to Mt Maunganui. The T20I series will be followed by a two-Test series in Hamilton and Wellington respectively.
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