The official wording of the new medical protocol has been released for Serie A and B teams, but it’s not quite the relaxed quarantine people were expecting.
The original protocol had caused controversy and frustration, as if one individual tested positive for COVID-19, he would be quarantined for 14 days, while the rest of the matchday squad – including members of staff – would remain isolated in a training camp for two weeks.
The official wording of the new medical protocol has been released for Serie A and B teams, but it’s not quite the relaxed quarantine people were expecting.
The original protocol had caused controversy and frustration, as if one individual tested positive for COVID-19, he would be quarantined for 14 days, while the rest of the matchday squad – including members of staff – would remain isolated in a training camp for two weeks.
This would effectively mean one positive test forcing a team to miss several games, even if none of the others were positive for Coronavirus.
Considering this is much harsher than the protocol in Germany, Spain and England, Minister for Sport Vincenzo Spadafora and Minister for Health Roberto Speranza accepted an appeal to loosen the restrictions.
That was made official with today’s Government statement, but it’s not quite as ‘soft’ as people had hoped.
“Those in close contact and the entire matchday squad must be isolated for a total of 14 days, but there is the possibility in case of games to have a test on the day of the match, paid for by the club.
“Once the result is achieved after four hours, access to the stadium and permission to play in the match will be given only to those who test negative on the RNA viral test.
“At the end of the game, the components of the matchday squad must resume the period of quarantine until the deadline, kept under daily observation by the competent local health department.”
Essentially, the squad and staff must continue to remain in the training retreat and not go back home for 14 days, leaving only to play matches.
The delay in clarifying the situation infuriated Serie B club Venezia, who are so far the only side to register a positive COVID-19 case since contact training resumed.
They insisted dictating what the rules were barely 24 hours before their planned match against Pordenone was “unprofessional and disrespectful.”
Venezia won’t travel for the game this weekend, so if Pordenone turn up to an empty stadium and receive three points, the club will appeal.