FC Bascome Bermuda have suspended operations after one of their coaches was advised by health officials to quarantine in the wake of coming in contact with someone who had tested positive for Covid-19.

All of the organisation’s programmes were shut down yesterday for 14 days after it was discovered that Andrew Bascome, the director of football and head coach, had been in contact with a positive Covid case and was urged to quarantine.

Bascome has not tested positive.

A statement the organisation sent out to parents, which The Royal Gazette has obtained a copy of, read:

“Dear parents,

“We need to close all our programmes for the next two weeks as of today, which will take us to the end of term 1, Wednesday 16th December.

“Coach Bascome has been advised to quarantine by the Ministry of Health, as he has been in contact with a positive case. He has not tested positive at this time.

“We will also advise the BFA that all FCB matches will be cancelled during this period.

“We will confirm if December camp will proceed in due course.

“Thank you for your understanding.

“FC Bascome Management.”

FC Bascome Bermuda are the second football club after North Village to have been affected significantly by Covid-19.

Village were forced to suspend all training and games involving their under-5 and under-11 Red teams for two weeks as a precautionary measure after two players and a coach were linked with schools exposed to the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, the Premier Division match between Southampton Rangers and Somerset Trojans scheduled for tomorrow at Southampton Oval has been called off.

The Bermuda Football Association took the decision after the Department of Health ordered that the clubhouse be closed because of positive Covid-19 tests that were traced back to a function at the club.

As per the most recent government update, the island’s active cases have risen to 63, with two in hospital and one in a critical condition.

An earlier club statement before the postponement read: “In the abundance of caution and under the guidance of the Health Department, Southampton Rangers Sports Club will be closing the clubhouse for a short period of time while it is cleaned to Covid regulations.

“The scheduled game versus Somerset will continue without the clubhouse being open to patrons.

“We look forward to seeing our fans on Sunday.

“Please remember that masks must be worn at all times and that social distancing is required.

“Southampton Rangers Executive 2020.”

The BFA was intent in its own statement to distance football from the latest developments.

It said: “Due to an event held at the club that was totally unrelated to football, or the Rangers football team, which has resulted in persons testing positive for the Covid-19 virus, the Department of Health has taken the decision to close the club until further notice.”