England is confident that its tour of Sri Lanka next month will continue as intended despite the new coronavirus variant identified in the UK.
The new strain is said to be 70% more transmissible, but it is understood that recent talks between the country’s boards of directors have been positive and England still plans to move to Hambantota on 2 January.
Although the Sri Lankan government has suspended commercial flights arriving in the country from the UK, England travels on a private jet and is therefore not subject to the ban. Upon arrival in Sri Lanka, England will spend a quarantine period in Hambantota, although they will be able to train outside before heading to Galle, where the two-test series will be held, starting on 14 January.
Players and staff traveling to Sri Lanka have been aware of their responsibilities during the holiday season, but it is understood that no guidelines have been issued on how to watch the family on Christmas Day for those in the level regions. 1, 2 or 3.
The Sri Lanka-England series, which is part of the World Trials Championship, was supposed to take place in March this year, but was abandoned halfway through the tourist warm-up game in Colombo amid the escalating situation. surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.