BCCI releases list of SOPs to be followed by teams during IPL 2020 in UAE

With the IPL all set to begin on the 19th of September in the UAE, the race is now on against time to put all the safety protocols and procedures in place. To that end, the BCCI has handed over a list of SOPs to the franchise
owners on Wednesday.

The document, as accessed by PTI, requires each franchise’s medical team to acquire the “medical and travel history of all players and support staff” dating back to the 1st of March 2020. ”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,” the SOP stated. ”This will help reduce the risk of cross-infection within the group before flying 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 also added 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 centralized air conditioning (AC) unit than the rest of the hotel. 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.”

The SOP also mandated that the teams order food to individual rooms and
avoid using common dining areas,” to prevent cross-infection and coming in
contact with other hotel guests.”

At the venue where the games are scheduled, the stands are expected to be completely empty, and the SOP sees that as an opportunity to facilitate social distancing. ”The Bio-Secure Environment means only essential staff will be on-site and no members of
the public will be allowed. Therefore there will be more vacant areas at the stadium and hence the dressing room does not have to remain within the traditional area. Venue Cricket Operation teams should consider using appropriate areas beyond the normal dressing room,” the SOP states. 

The teams have been asked to use electronic team sheets rather than captains carrying hard copies of their playing XI list. The SOP also states that franchises might install ”Scalene Hypercharge Corona Canon (Shycocan), a device that has the ability to neutralize 99.9 percent of the coronavirus that might be floating in the air in closed spaces.”

BCCI has warned that anyone fiddling with the safety procedures will invite strict action. ”Breach of any Bio-Secure Environment protocols by players and team support staff will be punishable under the IPL Code of Conduct Rules,” read the SOP.

In case of any player or member of the support staff testing positive for COVID-19, they would be placed under a 14-day quarantine period, following which they will have to undergo two tests 24 hours apart. “If both test reports are negative, he/she may be allowed to fly out to the UAE.” The rule will apply to all the overseas players and team support staff as well,” the SOP stated.

[PTI inputs]