Pakistan cricketers have been denied a training exemption during COVID-19 quarantine in Christchurch.
Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield has confirmed the tourists will not be allowed to train in groups until their 14-day isolation is complete.
"I've very carefully considered this situation," he says. "At this time, I continue to have ongoing concerns about the risk of cross-infection within the squad.
"There have been a number of active cases indentified among the team. Public health considerations will continue to be foremost in our response to COVID-19, whether this involves individuals or teams.
"We appreciate the challenges that this decision will have for the touring team."
In recent months, New Zealand's border restrictions have eased to allow touring sports teams the ability to training during the latter stages of their two-week quarantine periods, as long as athletes and staff pass regular coronavirus testing along the way.
Pakistan arrived last week to prepare for their upcoming T20 and test series against the Blackcaps, but almost immediately fell foul of the protocols.
Within three days, CCTV footage revealed players mingling without masks in the hallways of their isolation facility.
"It only needs to be once to take a dim view of that," Bloomfield told RNZ."We will be wanting to rule out any potential floor transmission.
"The squad is separate from others and they are not able to mingle with others outside the squad."
Six players arrived in New Zealand with coronavirus and others have tested positive since.
Last week, the NZ Government and NZ Cricket drew the ire of Pakistan cricket legend Shoaib Akhtar, who urged his national team to boycott matches against the Blackcaps for five years.
"You are talking about Pakistan - the greatest country on the planet - so behave yourself and stop giving such statement," he said on YouTube.
Pakistan are due out of quarantine next week. They will face the Blackcaps in the first of three 20-over matches on Friday, December 18, and the first of two tests will begin on Boxing Day.
Earlier this week, they adjusted their build-up schedule, replacing a four-day match against NZ A from December 10-13 with a series of intra-squad games.
"We are disappointed for the Pakistan squad, which we know was looking forward to beginning training for the upcoming tour," says NZ Cricket. "However, we agree public health must remain the paramount concern.
"We have confidence in the Government's systems, and we respect and support its decision-making."
