Premier League records a fall in coronavirus cases following tighter restrictions

The Premier League have recorded a fall in the number of positive tests recorded following a tightening of their protocols, with 16 new cases being identified last week.

After an all-time high of 40 cases over the new year and another 36 positives in the following round the Premier League were warned to tighten things up by culture secretary, Oliver Dowden and wrote to clubs informing them of more strict coronavirus protocols.

Contact with opposing players after games, as well as hugging teammates during celebrations, has been clamped down on, though many struggled to implement the latter over the weekend.

Furthermore, tighter restrictions have been put in place around travel to and from games for away sides.

The measures, which have been in place since January 7, seemed to have worked with positive cases dropping by 20.

In a statement, the Premier League said: "The Premier League can today confirm that between Monday 11 January and Sunday 17 January, across two rounds of testing, 3,115 players and club staff were tested for COVID-19. Of these, there were 16 new positive tests.

"Players or club staff who have tested positive will self-isolate for a period of 10 days."

Watch: COVID-19 - Premier League players told to avoid hugs, high fives and handshakes after scoring