Premier League players in Tier 4 areas will have COVID-19 tests every 72 hours 

EXCLUSIVE: Premier League clubs to up their Covid testing to twice a week in Tier 4 areas amid fears over spread of the mutant strain

  • Premier League players will now have coronavirus tests twice a week in Tier 4 
  • It will include teams in London and south east after government’s restrictions 
  • The move will likely be rolled out for all sides after the Christmas period 

Premier League clubs in Tier 4 areas are to revert to twice-weekly Covid testing, Sportsmail has learned.

In what has been described as ‘an additional precaution’ sides in the highest level of restrictions will now be subject to tests every 72 hours.

The move is likely to be rolled out across all top flight sides following the Christmas period, amid a rise in the number of positive cases and the arrival of a mutant version of the virus.

Premier League players in Tier-4 areas will have coronavirus tests every 72 hours 

Previously clubs had been testing once a week following the Premier League restart in June

Previously clubs had been testing once a week following the Premier League restart in June

Currently, clubs were being tested once a week by a company operating on behalf of the league. Some, including Covid-hit Newcastle United, had decided to pay for additional tests themselves. Those in Europe were also tested before their matches in the Champions League and Europa League.

The decision takes clubs back to the position brought in for Project Restart. Tests were reduced to once a week at the start of this season. 

Talks have been ongoing for some time and were accelerated after the Prime Minister’s decision to introduce Tier 4, which affects London and the south east and which could soon be rolled out elsewhere.

It is expected the Premier League will roll out the new measures for all clubs after Christmas

It is expected the Premier League will roll out the new measures for all clubs after Christmas 

This week the Premier League announced that seven players and staff members had tested positive for COVID-19 in the latest round of testing.

It comes amid concerning developments in the EFL, which has seen outbreaks at both Millwall and Ipswich. The Lions have been forced to postpone their next two Championship games against Bournemouth and Watford.

Meanwhile, manager Paul Lambert was among the positive tests at Ipswich, with their game against Northampton delayed. 

source: dailymail.co.uk