Ashes biosecurity protocols strengthened as Covid-19 escalates in Australia

New South Wales reported 2,482 new cases of Covid-19 on December 18, while Victoria had 1,504. Both states are hosting upcoming Ashes Tests

Cricket Australia has elevated its biosecurity protocols to Level 4 restrictions for the next two Ashes Tests in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases in Melbourne and Sydney.

The state of New South Wales reported 2,482 new cases of Covid-19 on December 18 while Victoria had 1,504 cases.

Under their previous Level 3 restrictions, players were required to only gather in groups of three while interactions with fans was not prohibited.

Under the new guidelines, Cricket Australia will still allow players to dine outdoors in groups of three but they will be encouraged to insulate themselves within the team bubble and avoid mixing in crowds. England and Australia players will also be instructed to avoid signing autographs or taking selfies with fans.

Players can visit family and friends in an outside setting but must undergo a Covid test if they meet indoors while any player who chooses to stay at home in Sydney or Melbourne rather than at the team hotel will also be required to submit a test before re-joining the squad.

^{Pat Cummins was ruled out of the second Test after being deemed a close contact [Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images]}

The 2021/22 Ashes series has already been impacted by Covid-19, with Australia captain Pat Cummins ruled out of the Adelaide Test after being identified as a close contract while dining in a restaurant. He is now undergoing a seven-day isolation period away from the squad.

Fellow bowlers Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon narrowly avoided the same fate after eating at the same venue.

The fifth Test has also be re-located from Perth to Tasmania owing to the strict border restrictions enforced by Western Australia while Perth Scorchers have had their five remaining Big Bash home matches moved for the same reason.

Speaking on SEN Radio, Cricket Australia CEO, Nick Hockley, said: "We’re always on high alert. I think it’s a wake-up call for everyone across the game. It’s a wake-up call for sport. It’s not unique to sport in Australia or around the globe. We’re seeing a fair bit of disruption.

"Everyone now needs to be extra vigilant because we’ve had a very high-profile case of disruption. That’s where we need to make sure there’s social distancing, so we ask everyone to be respectful in the public.

"That’s the real shame because what we have seen is players wanting to interact with fans. That’s been a feature of the Big Bash. But we’ve now got very clear protocols. As it comes to those on the field of play we need to make sure that people are operating in a really biosecure way."

The third Test at the MCG in Melbourne is scheduled to begin on December 26. The series will then move to Sydney's SCG, with the fourth Test due to start on January 5.

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