Why Mount and Chilwell have to self isolate but no Scotland players have to

Mount and Chilwell will miss the Czech Republic game

After talking to Chelsea teammate Gilmour after Sunday’s match against Scotland, England players Mount and Chilwell are having to self isolate. This will mean they miss the game against the Czech Republic, and Gilmour will miss the Scotland V Croatia match.

We can confirm that @BenChilwell and @masonmount_10 must isolate up to and including Monday 28 June. This decision has been taken in consultation with Public Health England.

— England (@England) June 22, 2021

Gilmour’s positive covid test has meant the two England stars will have to miss the next game, and potentially even the last-16 game as well.

“I can’t say it isn’t disruptive,” said England manager Gareth Southgate. “You would have to say at this moment in time they are a big doubt for tomorrow,” he told BBC Radio 5. 

No Chillwell or Mount because they hugged their mate. Scotland team can play because no one saw them hug their mate. I can’t watch my daughter’s sports day but she can come home from school and give me a hug after playing with her friends all day. What a load of fucking bollocks.

— Rob Beckett (@robbeckettcomic) June 22, 2021

A spokesperson from Public Health England has said: “PHE is working with the FA to identify close contacts of Billy Gilmour and any risk to other players and staff.” It was then ruled that no one from the Scottish team would have to self isolate.

The guidance from PHE is as follows: someone that could be considered a close contact and might have to self-isolate if they had a face-to-face conversation within one metre, or had been within two metres of someone for more than 15 minutes who tested positive for Covid-19.

Both Mount and Chilwell spoke with Gilmour in the tunnel after the game for 20 minutes, according to reports, and it is this which constitutes the apparent breach of Covid regulations.

However, questions are now being raised as to why the Scotland team sharing a changing room with Gilmour doesn’t meet the necessary requirements of a Covid breach.

A statement released by the FA said that “The pair will be kept away from the rest of the England players and wider support team, pending further discussions with PHE.”

“We will continue to follow all Covid-19 protocols and the Uefa testing regime, while remaining in close contact with PHE.”