Celtic players won’t have to drive individually to Dingwall tomorrow as Motherwell did for their clash at Celtic Park yesterday.
Protocols have been tightened up from last week with confusion caused by an appearance on Radio Scotland by Professor Jason Leith on Saturday.
In contradiction to the directive sent out by the Scottish Government on Friday Leitch claimed that one positive test on a bus or plane would require all passengers to self-isolate.
Scottish football has been operating on egg shells this season with red zones around technical areas reducing capacities with away fans banned from Celtic Park until October.
The prospect of players having to make the midweek trip to Dingwall individually wouldn’t have been a pleasant one for Ange Postecoglou’s squad but it seems that clarification this morning that ‘2 row spacing’ remains in place for coach and plane travel.
The Daily Mail explains:
Acting on Scottish Government advice the JRG warned clubs on Friday that all players and staff on a bus or plane must self-isolate for 10 days if one positive case for the new strain showed up.
Motherwell were just one of the clubs who altered their usual travel arrangements for their Premiership clash against Celtic on Sunday, players travelling to Parkhead in a fleet of cars instead of multiple team buses.
Doubts were also cast over plans for Premiership teams to travel abroad for a week of winter training during Scottish football’s three week January break.
In a radio interview on Saturday, however, the Scottish Government’s national clinical director Prof Jason Leitch said players and staff could test and release if double vaccinated.
And following the confusion caused by the mixed messaging Scottish football authorities spent the weekend confirmation that the current protocol of two metre social distancing on buses and flights remained in place.
With Dundee due to travel to Hibs on Tuesday, St Johnstone in Glasgow to play Rangers on Wednesday and Celtic facing a long journey to Dingwall to play Ross County the news offers relief to clubs who feared a new logistical headache.
A letter from the JRG to clubs seen by Sportsmail reads: “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.
“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.”
“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.”
Celtic are now facing four consecutive away matches including Sunday’s League Cup Final against Hibs at Hampden.
The celtic board need to get these rules marked in stone to avoid the shambles of last seasons decisions.