Hearts' scheduled pre-season friendly against Berwick Rangers tonight is off.
Robbie Neilson was set to take his side to Shielfield Park for their first game in 56 days after clinching their return to the Scottish Premiership.
But five positive covid tests amongst the players and coaching staff at Tynecastle mean the match had to be scrapped.
A Hearts XI made up of those who didn't play tonight are due to take on Linlithgow Rose tomorrow, but that fixture is now also a major doubt.
That will also go for any further training at Oriam.
The Jambos reported back for pre-season training earlier this week and have been thoroughly tested in terms of their fitness and condition ahead of the hard yards being put in next week.
But they now face a waiting game to find out whether they can continue as planned after the latest test results.
The Scottish football Joint Response Group will discuss the situation and a decision will be taken from there.
A club statement read: "Hearts’ pre-season friendly match against Berwick Rangers tonight has been cancelled due to positive COVID-19 tests at the club’s training base.
"Five members of Hearts’ football department are now self-isolating in line with COVID-19 guidelines after returning positive lateral flow and PCR tests.
"The club immediately contacted the relevant football authorities upon confirmation of each positive test and it continues to follow protocols to the highest of standards.
"We have also kept our opponents fully informed and it is with regret to our supporters that we will not begin our pre-season friendly campaign as scheduled.
"An update on the club’s friendly match with Linlithgow Rose, scheduled for Saturday 26th, will be provided in due course."
Hearts were forced to stop training not long after starting last August when a series of Covid protocol breaches by other club's players prompted the JRG to suspend all football below the top flight.
