The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday (August 29) issued a statement, saying it has put in place stringent health and safety protocols for the 13th edition of Indian Premier League, slated to be held in UAE.

“Accordingly, upon landing in the UAE, all the participants have followed a mandatory testing and quarantine programme. Total of 1,988 RT-PCR COVID tests were carried out between August 20th – 28th across all participant groups in the UAE. These groups include Players, Support Staff, Team Management, BCCI Staff, IPL Operational team, Hotel and ground transport Staff,” the board in a media release.

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The press release also confirmed that 13 individuals have contracted COVID-19, out of which two of them are players.

“13 personnel have tested positive of which 2 are players. All the affected personnel as well as their close contacts are asymptomatic and have been isolated from other team members. They are being monitored by the IPL Medical Team,” it stated.

“As per the IPL 2020 Health and Safety Protocols testing on all participants will be conducted regularly throughout the IPL 2020 Season,” it further read.

The 2020 season of Indian Premier League will be played in the Middle East from September 19 to November 10.

The 60 matches will be held behind closed doors across three venues – Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.