The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seems to be leaving no stone unturned in ensuring a safe and successful Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the UAE.
In a detailed Standard Operating (SOPs) sent to the IPL franchises, exclusively available with India Today, the BCCI has listed safety protocols that need to be followed by the franchises from before boarding their chartered planes to the UAE till the final ball is bowled in the tournament.
Regular testing to prevent the reduce the risk of asymptomatic spread of the novel coronavirus is going to be a permanent feature throughout IPL 2020, scheduled to be held in the UAE from September 19 to November 10, subject to clearance from the Indian government.
Separate hotels for franchises, social distancing in dressing rooms, electronic team sheets and recommendations for virtual team meetings are part of the directives issued by the BCCI.
All franchises have been asked to appoint a team doctor who will be responsible for ensuring bio-secure guidelines during the tournament. The franchise medical team should obtain a complete medical and travel history (since 1st March 2020) of all players and team support staff at least 2 weeks before the scheduled departure to UAE.
There is no ban on families travelling with the players to the UAE but the franchises should ensure the close ones of the players follow all the protocols that are in place for the players and the support staff.
The BCCI has said it is working with numerous agencies including the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB, UAE authorities and medical experts among others to look at conducting IPL 2020 behind closed
doors.
Overview
Covid-19 testing for players and support staff
All players, domestic and overseas, will have to undergo 5 tests before entering the bio-secure bubble. Players and support staff will have to undergo tests every 5th day after entering the bio-secure bubble.
After two successful COVID-19 PCR tests, 24 hours apart, players will be allowed to fly to the UAE. Players will be put up in hotels and will be in quarantine during which they will give 3 more Covid-19 tests over 6 days.
For domestic players and support staff
- All Indian players and team support staff must undergo two COVID-19 PCR tests, 24 hours apart, in the week before assembling in the franchises’ city of choice. This will help reduce the risk of cross-infection within the group before flying to the UAE.
- Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 should be asked to quarantine and seek medical
advice. After completion of their 14-day quarantine period, the individual is required to take two COVID-19 PCR tests, 24 hours apart, and if both test reports are negative, he/she may be allowed to fly out to the UAE,
For foreign players and support staff
- All overseas players and team support staff must undergo two COVID-19 PCR tests, 24 hours apart, in the same week when flying to the UAE. Anyone testing positive will follow the same procedure followed by domestic players and support staff.
Upon arrival in the UAE
Players and support staff who arrive in the UAE will be giving 3 Tests — Day 1, Day 3 and Day 6. After all three successful tests, players will be allowed to enter the biosecure bubble.
Players and support staff will not be allowed to leave the bubble once entered throughout the duration of IPL 2020.
The Bio-Secure Environment
The BCCI will be ensuring bio-secure bubbles in the UAE in 4 broadly categorised environments. The board has identified risk mitigation procedures for bio-secure bubbles and it will be followed before entry, while being in the bubble and while exiting the bubble.
“Breach of any Bio-Secure Environment protocols by players and team support staff will be punishable under the IPL Code of Conduct Rules,” the BCCI has said.
Hotels
Training sessions
Matches
Transportation
Within the above-mentioned domains, different zones will be created to separate the franchise team members, match officials, cricket operations team, ground staff, broadcast teams, hotel staff and
security personnel.
Individuals will remain in their allotted zones at all times.
Inside the Bio-Secure Environment, there would be specific risk mitigation processes to screen entry, minimise spread of infection and strategies to manage COVID-19 cases within the Bio-Secure environments.
