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CA monitors COVID cluster, Qld-NSW border

3 minute read

Cricket Australia boss Nick Hockley says biosecurity rules have been designed to help secure border exemptions in the event they become necessary this summer.

Cricket Australia is upbeat its biosecurity protocols will ensure the Test series can be completed in Brisbane as planned, even if Queensland opts to shut its border to Sydney.

The COVID-19 cluster in Sydney's northern beaches has alarmed state governments and sporting organisations.

The third Test is fully expected to start in Sydney on January 7 as planned, although NSW Health is likely to re-evaluate plans for a capacity crowd.

The biggest logistical problem for CA in coming weeks could be the fourth Test, which is due to begin on January 15 at the Gabba.

At this stage, Sydneysiders will only be directed to quarantine in Queensland if they have been in the northern beaches during the past week.

But the state is monitoring the situation closely and may opt to raise red flags for more suburbs - or the entire city - if worried about community transmission of the virus.

Australia and India's Test squads have not been in hard lockdown during recent weeks.

However, rules have dictated what players and staff are allowed to do whenever leaving the hotel - such as dining outdoors rather than indoors.

There had been hope that protocols could be loosened in coming weeks but it now appears likely that things may actually get stricter if anything.

CA chief executive Nick Hockley believes his organisation's protocols could help obtain exemptions if required.

"There are business continuity measures to make sure - if there are situations ... that we can give ourselves the best chance to move around safely," Hockley said on SEN.

"We'll work very closely with the authorities.

"We've got a clear set of protocols. We've been very transparent ... with all the health authorities.

"This is the very reason we have the hubs in place ... we've had almost zero community transmission.

"There's been lots of calls; 'do we actually need the hubs?'."

CA had originally planned to start India's tour with six white-ball games in south-east Queensland but couldn't obtain quarantine exemptions from the state.

Players are only part of the puzzle.

Broadcast staff, officials and technicians responsible for the Decision Review System (DRS) will also need to cross the NSW-Queensland border.

The first Test has not been affected by the latest cluster but Fox Sports commentator Brett Lee has returned home to the northern beaches.

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