Roger Lee, the Somerset Eagles manager, contacted his players yesterday, urging them to get tested along with the Southampton Rangers team after their recent Friendship Trophy match at Southampton Oval was one of three locations that came on the radar of the Ministry of Health.

The ministry advised all those who attended three locations on the weekend of November 27 to 29, including Southampton Rangers Sports Club, to get tested for Covid-19. Lee acted immediately, dialling the ministry’s hotline number at 444-2498 and also urging his players to get tested.

“They’ve all been advised to quarantine and schedule tests,” Lee told The Royal Gazette. “When I got the information, I told them let’s all go and get it done.

Lee said the Eagles players took precautions when they played Southampton Rangers at Southampton Oval on November 29.

“When we got to the game, ahead of the fans, we were directed down to the changing room,” he explained. “The players didn’t mix with the fans because that was protocol.

”What took place after the game, I have no idea. When I left I exited the same gate, but as a result of what was put in the media for people who attended the location on that date, I made the phone call and they said everybody should quarantine and get a test, and that’s what I have instructed the team to do.

“The guys have been calling the number and I told them to be patient. I did speak to an individual who gave me advice on what we should do.”

Concern over the spreading of the virus impacted football over the weekend after, initially, the Southampton Rangers clubhouse had been closed to patrons as a precaution. Then, a little while later, came the announcement from the Bermuda Football Association that the match there between Southampton and Somerset Trojans was postponed.

Late on Saturday night came a further announcement from the BFA confirming that all matches on Sunday were postponed as a precaution.

“I think it’s a good thing, I’m all for it,” Lee said of the precautions. “Football can continue at some other time in the future.

“We just need to be safe and protect ourselves. With the escalation in the numbers, it was a good move to take a breather and see where this goes.

“With the three locations, it shows there may be some spreading going on that we need to contain.”

Football, which already has restrictions on crowd sizes as a result of the pandemic, has been suspended until at least December 22.