Vaccinated Premier League players will be able to travel to Red List countries to defend national teams

(Reuters) – The government said on Friday that fully vaccinated Premier League players will be able to travel to the UK’s red list countries during national team breaks and training or play when they are quarantined on their way home.

Several clubs refused to release players in red-list countries such as Brazil and Argentina last month, and the Premier League now wants to avoid a similar situation that has revolutionized national associations.

Strict Covid-19 quarantine rules require those returning to England from one of the Red List countries to be confined to a hotel for 10 days, but now players can be quarantined in “designated facilities” and will be able to train or play.

“We are working closely with football officials to find an outcome that balances the interests of clubs and the state while maintaining the highest standards of public health and safety,” a government spokesman told Reuters.

“Our best defense against the virus is vaccination, and these new measures will allow fully vaccinated players to perform their international duties in the safest and most practical way possible, while allowing them to train and play for their clubs as soon as possible after their return.”

Players returning from external engagements will be completely separated from the public for 10 days, and “significant public health protocols and mitigations” will be adopted when they leave the facility to train and play with their teams.

(Pur Rohith Nair in Bengaluru)

Copyright © Thomson Reuters.