The New Zealand Ministry of Health extended the isolation period of the visiting Bangladesh team by three days, meaning the Tigers will now have to be in strict quarantine in their rooms until December 20.

Bangladesh were scheduled to check into their rooms at the Managed Isolation and Quarantine (MIQ) facility yesterday. However, spin-bowling coach Rangana Herath and a few members of the team testing positive for Covid-19 forced authorities to extend the quarantine.

"As we know, New Zealand is very strict about health protocols. We have previously done a 14-day quarantine. However, ahead of the series we have managed to reduce it to seven days, including three days of room quarantine," Bangladesh team operations manager Nafis Iqbal said through a video message yesterday.

"Originally, it was a 10-day quarantine; at the MIQ for seven days and then we were supposed to check into the hotel, where we could practice. But now we have to remain in room quarantine for the next three days also. We have to stay at the MIQ for ten days," he said, adding that Herath was gradually improving and management was in constant touch with the Lankan.

Bangladesh scheduled two practice games, but with the first warm-up scheduled for December 22 and their isolation extended till December 20, it is uncertain if the Tigers can play that game. The visitors are also scheduled to play a two-day practice game against New Zealand A team on December 28 and 29 ahead of the start of the first Test on January 1.