THE SFA and SPFL Joint Response Group last night informed Premiership clubs they must increase Covid-19 testing to twice a week after St Mirren returned seven positive results.

The Paisley club was put into lockdown little over a week before the start of the 2020/21 Premiership season and their friendly against St Johnstone tomorrow cancelled.  

The Scottish government has been informed of the results and safety measures implemented at the Paisley club while further tests are carried out.

Government regulations require top flight players to be tested once a week and negative results submitted 24 hours before a fixture.  

However, the joint response group has increased that requirement to twice a week indefinitely in the wake of the positive coronavirus cases.  

A statement read: “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, July 25, has been cancelled.

“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.”

Jim Goodwin’s side are set to get their Premiership campaign underway a week tomorrow against Livingston at home. So far no players have tested positive.