Coronavirus: England squad warned against fan interaction in Sri Lanka

ECB released a statement on Wednesday

England are set to face a President's XI in Sri Lanka on Thursday (Getty Images)

England players have been instructed not to sign autographs or pose for selfies with fans during their Test tour of Sri Lanka in a bid to insulate the squad from coronavirus.

The England team have been on the island – which recorded its second confirmed case overnight – for just over a week and have stepped up existing precautions ahead of the first Test in Galle on 19 March.

Between 3,000 and 5,000 supporters, many of them retired, are due to fly to Sri Lanka and they have been warned the usual level of interaction they have come to expect from the players has been affected by medical advice.

Joe Root’s side are typically happy to sign shirts and bats as well as appearing in photographs, but have been instructed to keep their distance from those arriving from the United Kingdom. Interactions with the media have already been impacted, with a two-metre buffer zone implemented for any group interviews.

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read: “Due to the ongoing situation regarding the current coronavirus outbreak around the world, the England men’s Test team, currently touring Sri Lanka, kindly requests all supporters joining the tour to maintain good levels of hygiene as advised by the World Health Organisation and the NHS, to avoid possible infection and spreading.

“The touring party is now taking positive steps to reduce the risk of its health by limiting public engagements for its players and management team. England players and staff have been asked to avoid any unnecessary public engagements, and temporarily avoid casual supporter interaction such as selfies or autographs.

“Whilst we acknowledge that this will be disappointing for some supporters, we stress that this a measure to protect the ongoing well-being of the England Test squad and is a decision which has not been taken lightly.

“Following the world health agency’s advice, and in order to protect the players and, in turn, the integrity and continuation of the Sri Lanka Test tour, the team has put in place several precautions, leading to a number of normal activities being cancelled for the foreseeable future.

“As a result, the touring party is now taking positive steps to reduce the risk of its health by limiting public engagements for its players and management team.”

Handshakes between squad members, officials and opposition were already banned, with ‘fist bumps’ the new preferred greeting.

England are preparing for a first-class warm-up fixture against a President’s XI on Thursday, when they are hoping to play a full-strength side in preparation for the series opener.

PA