Fan who attended MCG Test tested positive for COVID-19; masks made mandatory for SCG Test

Cricket Australia has gotten on its toes after a man, who attended the second Test at the MCG, was tested positive for COVID-19 after developing symptoms on January 5. The man in his 30s was seated in Zone 5 of the MCG under its COVID-19 safe protocols and was likely to have entered the ground through gate number five or six on December 27 between 12.30 pm and 3.30 pm.

As a precautionary measure, the New South Wales government has made wearing masks mandatory for the crowd during the third Test, scheduled to get underway on January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The match will take place with a crowd capacity of 25 per cent and the ones, who attended the Melbourne Test have been banned from attending the Sydney Test.

SCG Test to have restrictions

“Based on the information available from the case, the man in his 30s was not infectious while at the sites, but there is potential he acquired the virus while there,” the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services was quoted as saying in a statement.

“The man developed symptoms on 30 December and the department was notified of his positive test on 5 January. Given he has not visited any high-risk Victorian exposure sites or travelled to New South Wales, a number of acquisition sources are being investigated.

“The man was present at the MCG on 27 December, the second day of the Boxing Day test and is currently isolating. He was not infectious when he attended and is not linked to any other case or to the Black Rock Restaurant Outbreak. The MCG is being investigated as a potential source for the infection,” the statement added.

Apart from the MCG coronavirus conundrum, the NSW government is also on alert after people from certain suburbs of Sydney tested COVID-19 positive.

When asked about whether it’s a wise move to host the third Test with a reduced crowd, Tim Paine, the Australian captain, said that the situation depends on the ones, who are working at the forefront to control the situation.

The four-match series is currently level at 1-1 with two Tests remaining in Sydney and Brisbane.