Safety remains paramount as the BCCI has announced that the 13th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) will be held in UAE from September 19 and November 10.
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As per a report published in ESPNcricinfo, players and support staff will need to clear at least four tests along with a week-long quarantine before they can start training in the UAE.
The franchises have received the draft document of standard operating procedures (SOPs). The SOPs include details on dos and don'ts during travel, lodging and training during the 53-day event.
Among the SOPs, IPL has allowed families of squad members to travel to the UAE and stay inside the bio-secure bubble, but the final decision on that aspect will only be taken by each franchise. Moreover, it is mandatory for each team to have a medical doctor on board.
According to the draft SOPs, IPL has asked the franchises to carry two rounds of testing before their squads depart for the UAE. The player or staff in question can only fly out if both those tests return negative.
After arriving in UAE, there will be three tests – on the day of the arrival, on the third and the sixth day. Once all those results come back negative, only then an individual will be allowed to enter the bio-secure environment. Subsequently, everyone in the bubble will be tested every fifth day until the tournament is over.
If a squad member tests COVID-19 positive during the tournament, it is learnt that the person in question would need to isolate but outside the bubble. The infected person would be put in a sanitised room within the same hotel.
Report also claims that no person can go in and out of the bio-secure bubble during the course of the tournament. Strict social distancing norms have been recommended and squad members have also been asked to wear masks outside their rooms at hotels.
As per the report, franchises have been asked to book a hotel or resort solely for the squads with no outsiders allowed.
(Inputs from ESPNcricinfo)
