FAQs: England v New Zealand Test

The government’s publication of 22 February, ‘COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021’, describes plans to explore when and how events with larger crowd sizes, less social distancing, or in settings where transmission is more likely, will be able to return safely.

The government’s Events Research Programme (ERP) will oversee this work, bringing findings from across different settings and different sectors to determine a consistent approach to lifting restrictions on events to inform Step 4 of the roadmap from 19 July.

The Events Research Programme will use pilot events incorporating research studies in April, May, June and July 2021 to build evidence on the risks associated with coronavirus transmission, the characteristics of events and surrounding activities, and the extent to which mitigation measures can effectively address these risks. The evidence from these studies will be used to inform the government’s decision around Step 4 of the roadmap and will shape government policy to bring about the phased return of fuller audiences to venues and events up and down England.

Self-controlled case series study

The self-controlled case series study aims to measure the risk of COVID-19 infection associated with attendance at an Events Research Programme event, with each person acting as their own control. Inclusion in the study is conditional on an individual having both attended an ERP event and subsequently testing positive for COVID-19.

Only this group of people will be included in the analysis. The rate of positive testing for COVID-19 will be compared between the 7 day high risk period following attendance at an event with the subsequent 7 day period when infection risk is assumed to be unaffected by attendance at the event.

The study is based on analysing the records of attendees who subsequently request a test from Test and Trace. The PCR test request form asks if you have participated in an ERP event, therefore attendees requesting a test will be flagged. The ERP is a programme designed to better understand and evidence how to safely reopen events. The self-controlled case series study is conducted alongside other research studies to support the objectives of the ERP.

The Secretary of State has the power to designate an event as being permitted for research purposes and therefore not subject to the legal restrictions which would apply to other events under Step 3 of the government’s roadmap.

The Royal London International between England and Pakistan, being held at Edgbaston Stadium, is going ahead as a Pilot Event as part of the Events Research Programme.

By attending the fixture, you consent to taking part in COVID-19 testing, as part of the ERP and this takes the form of two testing methods.

Firstly, all spectators must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test on entry (via email or SMS). Please order your home test kit via the gov.uk website. The negative test must be conducted within 24 hours of the day you are attending.

Failure to provide a negative NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test result will mean entry to the venue is refused.

Secondly, to aid the research, you are also requested to undertake a PCR at home test as close as possible to the event day and again five days after attendance at the event. Using the home address information provided in the Consent Form all for attendees, you will be sent a home testing kit directly which will contain two PCR tests.

The PCR test is not mandatory for entry, but helps support the ERP research.

Full details about the PCR test will be sent to you in the post.

Entry to Edgbaston on each day of the LV= Insurance Test Match will be dependent on providing evidence of a negative NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test result (via email or SMS), and the test must be taken no more than 24 hours before the day you are attending.

No. NHS Lateral Flow Tests are free to order online via the gov.uk website.

Attendees are required to order their own test kits. You can order them via the gov.uk website for free here or pick up your home test kit from your local pharmacy (England only).

Your pack will include seven tests and instructions on how to take the test and record it online.

For instructions on how to take your Lateral Flow Test, click here.

Reporting your LFT results: Once the Rapid LFT has been taken, you MUST report the test result online within 24 hours of completing the test online here.

Once completing a NHS Rapid Lateral Flow Test within 24 hours before the day you are attending, all spectators must log their negative result via the gov.uk website.

You will then receive a text or email from NHS Test & Trace which you will need to present to the stewards at Edgbaston prior to entry.

To aid the research, spectators are also requested to undertake a PCR at home test as close as possible to their attendance at the event and again five days after attendance.

Using the home address information provided when you completed your consent form, you will be sent a home testing kit directly which will contain 2 PCR tests. Entry to Edgbaston is not dependent on a PCR test being taken. The PCR test will be used for the research programme to better inform future testing regimes and is a voluntary step.

Full ‘COVID-19 Home Test Instructions’ are contained within the pack that comes with the PCR test. However, further information regarding this, including useful videos, can be found by using this link.

If you do not receive your PCR home test kit prior to your visit to Edgbaston, simply go online to the gov.uk website and order another one and take it as close as possible to your day of attendance or 5 days after as applicable.

If you have had both COVID-19 vaccinations, with the second dose being received within 14 days of this fixture, then you are not required to conduct a NHS Rapid Flow Test. Instead, we will be required to present a COVID Pass upon entry as evidence of your vaccinations.

You can do this by downloading the NHS App. This will allow you to show your vaccination status. Alternatively, you can download and print a copy of your status using the NHS website here.

Please note that if you have currently only had one dose of the vaccine, or your second dose was less than 14 days before the fixture, then you will have to present a negative NHS Rapid Flow Test result to gain entry to Edgbaston.

To gain entry to the Chairman’s Lounge, please use the E3 entrance located on Edgbaston Road. Upon arrival you will be checked in and provided with a name badge that will give you access to the Chairman’s Lounge.

Every effort will be made to conduct the required checks as quickly as possible on arrival and we ask for your patience while we conduct these checks.

Yes. The Chairman’s Lounge will still continue to operate in line with the latest Government social distancing guidelines and we are asking all guests to wear a face covering, except when seated, eating or drinking.