Harrogate Town taking further measures to protect employees and fans as two players and two coaching staff self-isolate with coronavirus symptoms

Friday evening's game at Solihull Moors was postponed at the request of Town management after it was confirmed that four members of staff were now in self-isolation having shown symptoms of the coronavirus Covid-19.

It was later confirmed by manager Simon Weaver that two of those people in self-isolation were indeed playing staff, while two others were on the coaching team.

Coronavirus: Two Harrogate Town players among four at club in self-isolation

The National League has sparked some controversy after allowing its games to go ahead at the weekend, despite a unified approach from the Premier League and the EFL (English Football League) to call off all games until at least April 3.

The League's decision not to postpone fixtures left Harrogate needing to ask permission late on Friday to postpone the fixture.

In a fresh statement today, the club's managing director Garry Plant confirmed Town were doing everything possible to look after their staff but insisted the self-isolation was simply a precaution and confirmed that nobody at the club had a confirmed case of Covid-19.

"We would like to advise that no personnel at the club has tested positive for Covid-19," he said.

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"The well being and safety of everyone connected to the club, including players, coaches, staff, parents, supporters and third party contractors is paramount and so if there has been a hint of any recognisable symptoms we have immediately advised that person to self quarantine for a minimum of seven days in line with Government directives.

"In addition we are taking measures to increase our cleaning/hygiene regime and be as proactive as possible,

"Please be assured that everyone at the football club puts health first and in these uncertain times we must ensure best practise comes first at every stage."

Mr Plant said the club will shut down on Monday and will re-open as normal on Tuesday, but he gave no indication as to whether their next match - the FA Trophy semi-final against Notts County on Saturday, March 21 - will go ahead.

Coronavirus latest: Harrogate Turkish Baths steps up cleaning measures in response to virus outbreak"The club office will be closed on Monday 16th March and will re-open on Tuesday 17th March at 10am, please email [email protected] with any urgent matters," he added. "Information regarding our upcoming first team fixtures will be communicated as and when it is received."

Manager Simon Weaver confirmed on Friday how one of the players in question had looked 'really unwell' when he arrived for training on Thursday.

“There are two members of the playing staff and two from the coaching team in self-isolation,” said Town manager Simon Weaver.

“One player looked really unwell when he arrived for training yesterday [Thursday] and didn’t even make it into the building. We sent him straight home.

“The other player felt ill after training on Thursday.

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“Health has to come first, which is why we have had to act.”

The National League agreed to the postponement of Town’s fixture at Solihull less than five hours before the scheduled kick-off time of 7.45pm, and Weaver has confirmed that his team was all set to travel to the Midlands.

“The coach was all packed up and ready to go, but after communication with the National League we made the decision to request the postponement,” he added.

“The circumstances are unprecedented, but as I say, people’s well-being has to take priority.

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“I didn’t want to be leading the troops onto a coach and into a confined space where something like this could potentially spread like wildfire.

“What I’m sure everyone wants is for the damage to be as minimal as possible when we come out the other side of this.”

The manager admitted that there is a feeling of real concern around the club.

“There’s unease because of coronavirus wherever you go at the moment and our camp is no different,” he said.

“News that a couple of lads who’ve been training with the rest of the group and spinning in the same room as everyone else just a few days ago only adds to that.

“This is uncharted territory.”

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