Cricket: Windies barred from training after breaching New Zealand's Covid-19 protocols

The team are due to be released from the facility on Friday but breached their protocols on several occasions. PHOTO: WINDIES CRICKET/FACEBOOK

WELLINGTON (REUTERS) - The West Indies cricket team have had their training privileges revoked after several team members breached Covid-19 biosecurity protocols in their Christchurch isolation facility, New Zealand's Ministry of Health said on Wednesday (Nov 11).

The team are due to be released from the facility on Friday, pending the final round of Covid-19 testing, but breached their protocols on several occasions by sharing food or mingling in corridors.

The Ministry said there was no risk to the New Zealand public.

"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," Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield said in a statement.

"In return, they have to stick to the rules.

"They didn't do that, despite agreeing to abide by the parameters of the exemption."

Bloomfield added the team's training exemption had been revoked and they would remain in isolation until they are released.

West Indies management did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New Zealand Cricket said it had stressed to the visitors they needed to abide by the restrictions placed upon them.

New Zealand has successfully curbed the spread of the coronavirus after introducing a strict lockdown and tight border controls.

Almost all the country's small number of current cases are among people arriving from overseas, who are held in mandatory managed isolation facilities for 14 days.

The squad had their third and final Covid-19 tests on Wednesday and will be released on Friday, where they will head to Queenstown for warm-up matches.

The first of three Twenty20 internationals against New Zealand is on Nov 27 in Auckland.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.