EFL provides Covid protocols update and game fulfilment guidelines as Portsmouth report cases 'within the organisation'

That’s part of the recommendations the league’s governing body have laid out amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant of the virus.

Others include the implementation of enhanced RED protocols for first-team training settings along with a daily screening programme of testing.

The latest vaccine data collated for November has shown that 75-per-cent of players across the EFL are either fully vaccinated, have had a single jab or intend to be vaccinated.

Double vaccinated players total 59 per cent, 16 per cent are set to get the jab, while 25-per cent of players currently do not intend to get a vaccine.

Prior to today’s EFL announcement, Pompey revealed they were strengthening their Covid bubble in response to record cases in the country – with cases now recorded ‘within the organisation’.

Already today, Saturday’s games involving Sheffield Wednesday v Accrington and Gillingham v Crewe have been postponed due to infections.

Now the league’s governors have outlined their guidance measures, with recommendations on when clubs will be allowed to reschedule games.

The statement from the EFL reads:

‘In light of the increased transmission rate of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, the EFL has moved to implement a regime of enhanced training ground protocols, increased testing and has provided updated guidance on the minimum number of available players that are required to fulfil a fixture.

‘All 72 Clubs will now be required to implement enhanced RED protocols for first-team training settings.

‘Social distancing measures will be required outside of physical sessions, along with restrictions to the use of indoor facilities, manual therapy and group travel, amongst others. The RED protocols can be accessed in full here.

‘As part of the enhanced guidance, clubs will be expected to implement a daily screening programme of testing, subject to supply chain availability of Lateral Flow tests. Any person with a positive test of symptoms will then be required to take a PCR test and isolate in line with Government guidance.

‘In respect of the screening programme, the EFL will not be providing a weekly aggregate report on number of tests undertaken and the number of positive results.

‘The rationale behind this decision is due to the volume of testing taking place that, depending on circumstances, may vary from club-to-club, alongside the rolling nature of the programme.

‘The EFL will confirm the circumstances where positive tests lead to a postponement of a fixture.

‘In the wake of recent EFL fixture postponements due to COVID-19 cases at Clubs, the EFL has also provided guidance on non-fulfilment of fixtures, confirming that Clubs will be expected to play where it has 14 players including a goalkeeper available from the Club’s registered squad list, Under 21 players not on the squad list but have played one League match, or any other contracted player not on the squad list but otherwise would have been eligible to play. The EFL will assist Clubs in their deliberations.

‘This guidance has been designed to help Clubs ensure the safety of players and staff, while ensuring that the fixture schedule can be maintained wherever possible. Where any Club states it cannot fulfil a fixture, a report shall be filed with the EFL, and the circumstances reviewed.

‘On vaccination, the EFL is encouraging all eligible players and staff to get fully vaccinated and a booster jab to help protect colleagues and minimise the risk of fixtures being postponed.

‘The EFL will also be supporting the Government’s ‘Get Boosted Now’ campaign over the coming weeks.’