The Indian government has given an “in principle” approval to the BCCI for hosting the IPL 2020 in UAE owing to rising cases in the country. A BCCI source further added that the permission in writing is due to come any time in the next few days.
"We have got the approval in principle to go ahead and the papers will be landing anytime," a top source said.
The eight franchises have begun preparations by initiating quarantine and COVID-19 testing protocols for their players and support staff. Most of the franchises will be leaving the base after 20 August mandated by the BCCI. The Chennai Super Kings are set to leave on 22 August.
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MI has quarantined its Indian players at its base.
Some franchises are arranging COVID-19 tests for their players in their respective cities before heading for departure bases (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru) for UAE.
"It's always good if they have a PCR-Test done and land with a negative report. Then they can have two tests done 24 hours apart as the BCCI SOP mentions before we fly to the UAE. While two tests are mandatory, most franchises will have at least four tests done before leaving India," a senior franchise official said on conditions of anonymity.
BCCI has allowed players and support staff to take their families along given that they remain inside the secure bio-bubble in UAE. But given the strict parameters of quarantine controls, it has been learnt that not many players across the teams are much keen on doing so.
"I have a five-year-old and I can't risk traveling with my family in this situation, health safety is paramount," a senior player said.
As far as accommodation is concerned, one franchise is aiming to book a resort. Another might rent out a sprawling property in Abu Dhabi with every staff, from security to chef, hired by them. There is another franchise that is booking a hotel in Abu Dhabi as it considers it the team's lucky base from the 2014 edition.
Though the BCCI has restricted the squad strength to 24, there is no cap on the number of support staff.
A couple of franchises will be taking up to 60 people, including full-fledged medical teams for daily health check-ups and the mandated COVID-19 testing of players every fifth day.
"The BCCI has said every fifth day testing in UAE but if franchises want, they can ramp up the rate. As we have said earlier, any upgrade on the SOP is welcome. However, there is very little chance of the quarantine period getting reduced (from the mandatory six days)," a senior BCCI official said.
(PTI inputs)
