Premier
League clubs have been told their players and staff will now be forced to
self-isolate for 10 days when they return from any overseas trip.
It comes as the Premier League confirmed just two new coronavirus cases for
the third straight week - the joint-lowest of the season so far.
There had previously been no specific restrictions on those arriving back
from Champions League, Europa League and international ties outside the UK.
But the new UK Government guidelines were provided to all 20 Premier League
clubs on Sunday.
Players will still be allowed to train and play in matches but will have to
quarantine in the same way as the general public and can only leave home
when entering their elite sporting environment.
Players can reduce the isolation period to just five days on the provision
of a negative COVID-19 test.
The rules state that anyone who goes on international duty must remain in
their sporting bubble at all times while away, in order to avoid a spell of
unconditional isolation once they return.
If a player exits the national team's bubble - to visit friends or family -
that will invalidate their quarantine exemption and they must self-isolate
for 10 days.
The latest guidance also removes the quarantine exemption for new signings,
as well as managerial and coaching appointments.
It will have a direct impact on teams involved in European competitions this
week.
Chelsea play Atletico Madrid Bucharest in the Champions League on Tuesday
while Manchester City face Borussia Monchengladbach at the Puskas Arena in
Hungary on Wednesday.
Arsenal travel to Greece on to play Benfica for the second-leg of their
Europa League last-32 tie on Thursday due to Portugal being on a 'red list'
of countries drawn up by the UK government.
PL records two Covid-19 cases for third
straight week
Across two rounds of tests between February 15-21, there were two positives
out of the 2,633 players and club staff tested.
That figure is the same as last week and the week of February 1-7, making it
the joint-lowest total of the season so far, and a significant drop from the
record 40 cases between December 28 and January 3.
"Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a
period of 10 days," the Premier League said.
"The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the
purposes of competition integrity and transparency.
"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the
League and results will be made public on a weekly basis."
Previous Premier League test results
Round 1: 31 Aug-6 Sep - 1,605 tested, with three testing positive.
Round 2: 7-13 Sep - 2,131 tested, with four testing positive.
Round 3: 14-20 Sep - 1,574 tested, with three testing positive.
Round 4: 21-27 Sep - 1,595 tested, with 10 testing positive.
Round 5: 28 Sep-4 Oct - 1,587 tested, with nine testing positive.
Round 6: 5-11 Oct - 1,128 tested, with five testing positive.
Round 7: 12-18 Oct - 1,575 tested, with eight testing positive.
Round 8: 19-25 Oct - 1,609 tested, with two testing positive.
Round 9: 26 Oct-1 Nov - 1,446 tested, with four testing positive.
Round 10: 2-8 Nov - 1,646 tested, with four testing positive.
Round 11: 9-15 Nov - 1,207 tested, with 16 testing positive.
Round 12: 16-22 Nov - 1,530 tested, with eight testing positive.
Round 13: 23-29 Nov - 1,381 tested, with 10 testing positive.
Round 14: 30 Nov-6 Dec - 1,483 tested with 14 testing positive.
Round 15: 7-13 Dec - 1,549 tested with six testing positive.
Round 16: 14-20 Dec - 1,569 tested with seven testing positive.
Round 17: 21-27 Dec - 1,479 tested with 18 testing positive.
Round 18: 28 Dec-3 Jan - 2,295 tests with 40 testing positive.
Round 19: 4-10 Jan - 2,593 tested with 36 testing positive.
Round 20: 4-10 Jan - 2,593 tested, with 36 testing positive.
Round 21: 11-17 Jan - 3,115 tested, with 16 testing positive.
Round 22: 18-24 Jan - 2,518 tested, with eight testing positive.
Round 23: 25-31 Jan - 2,957 tested, with seven testing positive.
Round 24: 1-7 February - 2,970 tested with two testing positive.
Round 25: 8-14 February - 2,915 tested with two testing positive.
Round 26: 15-21 February - 2,633 tested with two testing positive.
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