The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to do away with contact tracing devices for the UAE leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2021), starting on September 19. The IPL 2021 was postponed in May after a COVID-19 outbreak in multiple franchises. BCCI then found a window to host the remainder of 31 matches in the UAE.
With the threat of COVID-19 infection still lurking even after vaccination, the BCCI has decided that Bubble Integrity Officers will do the necessary contact tracing if any player tests positive for COVID-19 in UAE. They have done away with the contract tracing devices which were used in IPL 2020.
Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments said it was a call taken considering how constantly feeding information into the Bluetooth devices can get cumbrous at times. There were also cases of them malfunctioning and not working altogether in the India leg of IPL 2021 earlier this year.
"The BCCI has decided to do away with the idea of wearing contact tracing bands as not only is it sometimes difficult to feed information for sportspersons during the course of a tournament, but also, we had a few instances earlier this year when the devices couldn't catch the movement of the players and the fact that they had left a certain location wasn't updated and players and support staff realized this much later.
IPL 2021: BCCI lays down bio-secure protocols, family members to be punished for bubble breach
"As a result, it has been decided that the Bubble Integrity Officers present with the teams will keep a track of the movements and act accordingly if there is a case that comes up during the course of the tournament. There will be 4 integrity officers with each team and will work in shifts to help with this," the source explained.
The board laid out a 46-page health advisory that lays down all the pointers that everyone associated with the IPL needs to follow in order to ensure the smooth functioning of the league.
The board has decided to set up 14 bio-bubbles and out of these 14, eight would belong to franchises. All members of all the franchises will have to quarantine in UAE for six days in their rooms before joining the bubble.
"Within the Bio-Secure Environment, 14 bubbles will be created as mentioned below: Franchise teams and support staff - 8 Bubble, Match Officials & Match Management Team - 3 Bubbles, Broadcast Commentators and crew - 3 Bubbles.
All franchise team members must quarantine in their hotel room for 6 full days before entering the bubble. Upon arrival and before commencing any group training activities, all team members who will be included in the bubble will follow the below-mentioned COVID-19 RT-PCR testing plan. A nasopharyngeal swab will be taken for testing. Test reports are available within 8-12 hours after sample collection," states the health advisory.
Just like last year, the BCCI has given go-ahead for bubble-to-bubble transfer and players from other ongoing series will not have to quarantine and enter the franchise bubble directly.
(ANI inputs)
