IPL 2020: Players to undergo three COVID-19 tests within a week after reaching UAE
XtraTime Web Desk: The BCCI is planning to do three COVID-19 tests of every players and support staff of all the eight Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises in seven days after they reach the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to play the cash rich league which is scheduled to begin from September 19.
As per the standard operating procedures (SOPs) - the final draft is set to be shared with all 8 franchises later this week- besides a mandatory PCR test “within 96 hours preceding departure”, every player and support staff member will have to test negative thrice during the week long quarantine in UAE to be allowed inside the bio-secure bubble.
“There will be three tests: on the day of the arrival, on the third and the sixth day. Once you get the third negative result, only then an individual will be allowed to enter the bubble,” an IPL insider was quoted by Sportstar. “After that, everyone in the bubble will be tested every fifth day until the tournament is over.”
Teams prepare for departure
The BCCI is meanwhile planning to make training facilities in UAE available for pre-tournament camps to all the eight franchises starting August 27. Barring Chennai Super Kings, cricketers from all other teams confirmed to Sportstar that they have been instructed for tentative departure on August 19 or 20. Only CSK cricketers have been informed “to be ready to leave on August 10”, should the need arise. The date of departure for most teams is in sync with serving the mandatory weeklong quarantine before starting the on-field preparation.
It is understood that SOPs and the fixtures will be formally shared with the franchises only after the BCCI receives the central government’s letter of approval, which should be “any time (soon)”. Besides, the operation rules, specifying the training schedule, will also be sent to all the franchises.
“We just hope that there’ll be no favouritism when it comes to stuff like the number of training sessions under lights allotted to teams,” said a franchise official.
Courtesy- Sportstar
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