U19 cricket squad to go into quarantine

THE national Under-19 men’s cricket squad will go into a three-day quarantine tomorrow at a hotel in Port Moresby before departing for the World Cup in the West Indies on New Year’s Day, says an official.
Cricket PNG warden and game development manager Margaret Sibona said the 15-man Garamuts would be taking a Coronavirus (Covid-19) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test tomorrow before going into quarantine.
“So far, the squad took two rapid diagnostic test and one PCR test (last Friday) and all results came back negative,” she said.
“The first PCR testing was done on Friday at Pacific International Hospital, which is our naming rights sponsor.
“The last one will be conducted on Dec 29 before the squad undergo quarantine.
“They will depart on Jan 1.
“By 9am, they’ll leave the hotel for Jackson International Airport, where the normal process for PCR testing will be conducted.
“If we get the all-clear then they’ll board their flight.
“It’s going to be a non-stop flight to the West Indies.
“Officials Rio Fiocco, Rodney Maha, Magiu Vanua and Otto Wrakonei will accompany the squad.
“They’re following a strict rule of not socialising with the community, friends or family.
“We gave them clear instructions to stay at home.
“The only place they go to is Amini Park and then back home.
“They’ve followed instructions and I want to congratulate the players because their results have come back negative for the last two tests.”
Meanwhile, Sibona said in the case that one of the 15 players tested positive for Covid-19, one of the three non-travelling reserves would be promoted.
“If a player is tested positive, I’ll organise a fumigated vehicle and transport one of the reserve players from the hotel to the airport,” she said.
“But that is just a contingency plan if the second test for that player comes back positive.”