Bath forced to close training ground due to Covid-19

David Skippers

Bath have been forced to close their training ground at Farleigh House after numerous players and staff at the Premiership club returned positive Covid-19 tests.

A statement on Bath’s official website said: “This morning, our training ground at Farleigh House has been closed after a number of players and staff returned positive results following the weekly PCR COVID-19 testing programme.

“All players and rugby staff have been instructed to isolate at their homes and a rigorous contact tracing process is now underway in order to stop the spread of the virus and protect the health and wellbeing of our staff, players and their families.

“The club has instructed additional testing to take place this Thursday for all players and rugby staff, and again on Monday next week. Our training ground is also today undergoing a full deep clean. In line with Government guidelines, Public Health England have been informed.

“Those players and staff who have tested positive, or who are traced as contacts of those testing positive, will isolate for a minimum of 10 days.”

Stopping the spread of the virus

Bath’s chief executive, Tarquin McDonald, said: “Our immediate focus is taking care of our people and stopping the spread of the virus. We are in regular communication with Premiership Rugby and Public Health England as we manage the situation. We will return to training but only when it is safe and appropriate to do so.”

Director of rugby Stuart Hooper added: “This is an anxious time for us all and the mental as well as physical health of our people and their families is our priority.

“Our planned training sessions have been cancelled and those able to train from home will now do so. My team and I are focused on doing all we can to be ready to play our up-and-coming fixtures, but I must reinforce that I will not allow the health of our people to be compromised.”

A decision on Bath’s Premiership fixture against Bristol Bears, which is scheduled to take place at Ashton Gate on Friday, January 29, will be made in conjunction with Premiership Rugby next week.