The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has tightened the bio-bubble for the ongoing IPL 2021 tournament after a handful of players opted out of the tournament mid-way citing concerns due to the ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in India.

Therefore taking precautions, BCCI and the IPL has enforced stricter restrictions in the bio-bubble in place. Those inside the bubble will now be tested for the virus every two days, instead of once every five days as was the case till now. This means the players and staff and officials will not have any contact with the outside world, but the BCCI is not willing to take any chances.

In another decision aimed at preventing infection, the IPL has barred the players and others inside the bio-bubble from ordering food from outside the hotel where they are staying.

There had been several instances when food had been ordered from joints and outlets outside the bubble. The BCCI had allowed such deliveries so that people don’t get bored eating the same hotel food for long.

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“Earlier in the tournament, we had permitted food deliveries from outside your designated hotels, but these privileges have also been withdrawn. Apart from this, we have also increased our level of caution to strengthen our bio-bubbles,” BCCI chief executive officer Hemang Amin informed all IPL teams.

This ruling will affect people in the bio-bubble, who used to get food from their homes or relatives in the same city even when they couldn’t physically go there. Also, there was an instance of the five-star hotel charging Rs 500 each for an empty plate when food was brought from outside.

This has led to several franchises having buffet counters for their teams inside the hotels.

The IPL reassured players and others inside the bio-bubble, especially those from overseas, who may have been unnerved by the rapidly rising coronavirus cases in the country.

(indianexpress inputs)