Anxious clubs have been given a huge shot in the arm after the Scottish Government performed a massive Omicron U-turn.
Football was bracing itself for a chaotic festive period on Friday after the game’s Joint Response Group issued new hardline health guidance from Holyrood which looked set to force entire squads into 10 days of self isolation in a bid to combat the spread of the latest coronavirus strain.
Managers had to scramble to rearrange travel plans for the weekend fixtures after being briefed that just one positive case on a team bus would lead to everyone else on board being ruled out of action regardless of their vaccination status.
But the waters were muddied significantly at lunchtime on Saturday when national clinical director Jason Leitch appeared on a radio show and contradicted the initial advice.
That sparked a flurry of back channelling phone-calls between the football authorities and the government’s health officials who were unable to confirm Leitch’s assessment of the new rules until Monday afternoon.
And it led to the JRG immediately issuing new updated advice to all of Scotland’s clubs - ahead of the First Minister’s latest Covid update which will be delivered in Parliament on Tuesday.
Record Sport has seen a copy of the letter which was circulated on Monday afternoon and which confirms that the existing protocol to establish close contacts remains in place at this time.
It reads: “Dear club, further to the update on Friday and information given over the weekend on BBC Radio Scotland the JRG sought immediate clarification from Scottish Government around travel arrangements.
“Contrary to initial advice, it has been confirmed that it is NOT the case that all passengers on board a plane or bus will be identified as close contacts.
“The revised guidance received from Scottish Government is as follows.
“Close contact definition and assessment process remain as they are across all areas, with the ‘two row’ criteria currently in place continuing on plane/bus travel and ‘2m’ assessment used for changing areas, dining arrangements etc.”
The letter goes on to say: “The following is applicable to close contacts of a positive case.
“All household contacts of a positive case must self-isolate with no test to release provision regardless of vaccination status or age.
“Non-Household Close-Contacts: Non double-vaccinated close contacts must self-isolate with no test to release provision regardless of vaccination status or age.
“Double vaccinated close contacts must self-isolate however can stop isolation should they produce a negative result from an NHS PCR test.
“This situation with Omicron is fast moving and we will update as soon as changes are advised. Clubs are encouraged to ensure all double vaccinated individuals receive their booster jag asap.”
The English Premier League fear the variant as well and Manchester United have shut down their training ground after a Covid outbreak at the club.
