Germany’s Bundesliga has told its clubs that there is “no automatic reporting of a positive case to the press”. The statement came as the news broke that second-tier team, Dynamo Dresden would be placed in isolation after two of their players tested positive for COVID-19.
This raised the prospect of there having also been other positive tests in other teams that have not been publicly disclosed.
The Bundesliga has said that games would resume as planned despite the entire Dynamo Dresden squad being placed into isolation for 14 days after two of their players tested positive for the coronavirus.
Dynamo Dresden compete in Germany’s second tier, the 2Bundesliga and news of the two positive cases was made public on Saturday.
Bundesliga protocol does not enforce an immediate group quarantine in such situations, but the clubs must follow the guidance of each local health authority.
Due to the 14-day isolation period, Dresden will be unable to complete their first two rescheduled matches, but Bundesliga chief executive Christian Seifert, said that this scenario had always been factored in.
Spain are also working towards a June restart for La Liga but they reported five positive test results on Sunday among players who were asymptomatic. Those players will remain in quarantine at home until they have received two negative tests.
Seifert said that how teams dealt with cases was up to them and their local authority.
“If they decide it’s 14 days, it is 14 days. We won’t change our goals, but just the plans. And the goal has been to finish the season,” he said.
“Only two out of 81 Bundesliga two games are affected, currently. We will look at this next week also with the other second division clubs.
“It’s not a setback. It was always clear it could happen,” he stated.
The German experience is being carefully monitored by the Premier League and the Bundesliga have produced a 50-page guide of protocols for stadiums, training facilities, hotels and home hygiene. The guide openly states that it is likely to “prove impossible” to provide absolute safety guarantees but rather a “medically justifiable risk based on the significance of football (in societal, socio-political and economic terms) and on the development of the virus”.
Two consecutive negative tests have been needed before Bundesliga players can resume training and they must then spend at least seven days prior to the start of the season in quarantine, where further regular swab testing will be carried out. Players will have to arrive in matches via multiple buses, observing at least a 1.5 metre gap and wearing face masks.
The use of changing rooms must then be staggered and limited, with face masks still worn. Minimal distancing would also apply in the tunnel and on the coaching bench, with post-match press conferences taking place virtually.
