Scottish football's return plans have been hit by the news that multiple coaches at Premiership club St Mirren have tested positive for Covid-19.
The Saints are due to begin the 2020/21 campaign with a home clash against Livingston at the Simple Digital Arena on August 1.
However, it has now been confirmed that seven members of staff - none on the playing side - have returned positive tests for coronavirus, leading to the joint Scottish FA and SPFL response group confirming an immediate return to twice-weekly testing protocols for Scottish Premiership clubs.
St Mirren's scheduled friendly against St Johnstone that was due to take place on Saturday (July 25) has also been cancelled.
"We can confirm our testing regimen has identified several members of our coaching staff have tested positive for COVID-19," St Mirren said in an official club statement released on Thursday evening.
"We immediately contacted the health authorities, and the SPFL and the SFA have also been informed.
"Thus far no members of the playing staff have tested positive and we are taking all possible precautions to ensure there is no further spread. We will provide an update in due course."
The Joint Response Group said: "The Joint Response Group has been notified that St Mirren Football Club has today returned seven positive tests for COVID-19.
"We immediately contacted the Scottish Government and the office of the Clinical Director for Scotland to relay this information.
"As a consequence, St Mirren’s planned friendly match at home to St Johnstone, scheduled to take place on Saturday 25 July, has been cancelled.
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"In light of this and other recent events, the JRG hereby notifies Scottish Premiership clubs that with immediate effect they must revert to twice-weekly testing protocols until further notice."
