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IPL during Covid: no fans, 4 tests in two weeks for players

  • Jul 30, 2020
  • pitchhigh
  • 1878

These are some of the major rules in Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) prepared by the Indian Cricket board which will be sent to IPL franchise soon for the T20 Championship expected in the UAE from September to November.

There will be no fans in the stadium, at least initially, commentators will be six feet apart, the least crowded shelters, no more than 15 players in the locker room, post-match prize shows for social distancing rules, and four COVID tests in two weeks for all players.

These are some of the major rules in Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) prepared by the Indian Cricket Board which will be sent to IPL franchise soon for the T20 Championship expected in the UAE from September to November.

While awaiting government approval to transfer IPL-13 to the United Arab Emirates, the Emirates Cricket Council confirmed its interest in hosting the event after receiving a request from BCCI.

Speaking to a news agency, an official at the BCCI said that not only players in the field, including their wives and friends (WAGs), and franchises, should follow the rules of "bio-bubble" would be determined.

"Once they enter the bio-bubble, no one can break it and join it again," the official said.

"The BCCI will not decide whether WAGs and family members can travel with the players, we leave it to franchises. The official said, but we have established a protocol in which not everyone, including the team's bus drivers, can leave the bio-bubble. The standard operating procedures for the franchises will be issued as soon as we meet." With the next week. If you have a complaint, you can return to the meeting and we will discuss it."

SOP also states that each player will undergo four Covid tests within two weeks before the tournament starts. Two tests will be performed in India before departure and two during quarantine in the UAE.

The SOP was prepared according to the rules laid down by the Cricket board of England and Wales for a series of tests against the West Indies.

In the past, players representing India joined IPL teams separately, but this relaxation was not allowed this time. They will have to enter a bio-bubble with the rest of their team members.

With most perks with teams of 20 or more players, along with a large number of support staff, some key SOP guidelines relate to housing. Teams will not be allowed to change hotels once they are appointed.

BCCI has already asked concession holders to sort out the hotel's logistics and arrangements, although the council will help get discounts during reservations. It is known that only negative sellers enter hotels, changing rooms, and other designated areas.

The BBCI will also provide standard operating procedures to broadcasters and officials.

Given that the Covid curve is expected to crush the UAE by then, the official said there is a possibility that fans could watch the live event from the stands since September. But BCCI does not risk. "We don't want to take a risk. At least during the first part of the tournament, the matches will be played behind closed doors," the official said.

According to Gulf News, the United Arab Emirates announced 375 new cases on Wednesday, bringing the number of state cases to 59,921, with 53,202 cases recovered.

Also Read: BCCI shares detailed plan for IPL 2020 in UAE

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