IPL 2020 | Teams to Be Punished for Breaking COVID Guidelines

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]IPL 2020 is finally going to happen albeit in the UAE and strict measures are being taken to ensure the safety of all those that are involved in the tournament. For starters, each IPL team has been allocated a different hotel so the chance of catching the eight franchises under one roof and nil. The measures also state that lunches and dinners are to be taken in each individual rooms and no congregation between the players will be tolerated.

Next, two mandatory negative COVID-19 test reports will be required prior to flying to the UAE. The medical team for each franchise is required to obtain the travel and medical history of all its players and support staff since March 1st this year. If anyone tests positive for COVID-19, then they will be quarantined. They will have to undergo two further tests after 14 days with each test being 24 hours apart.  This rule is not confined to just those travelling from India but also applies to foreign players, coaches and support staff.

As per the manifesto that has been released for the IPL, the document  states that “All Indian players and team support staff must undergo two COVID-19 PCR tests, 24 hours apart, in the week before assembling in the franchises’ city of choice. “This will help reduce the risk of cross-infection within the group before flying to the UAE.

“Breach of any Bio-Secure Environment protocols by players and team support staff will be punishable under the IPL Code of Conduct Rules.”

“…if both test reports are negative, he/she may be allowed to fly out to the UAE.”

“After arrival in UAE, there will be tests on Day 1, 3 and 6 with testing every fifth day throughout the tournament. The SOP states that all “franchise teams will be put up in different hotels. Team members must be allotted rooms in a separate wing of the hotel that has a separate centralised air conditioning (AC) unit than the rest of the hotel,” it adds.

“After the third negative test, team members may be allowed to meet each other within the Bio-Secure Environment. However, wearing a face mask and social distancing protocols must be followed at all times.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]