IPL: No quarantine for overseas players in UAE

“Breach of any Bio-Secure Environment protocols by franchise members or their families will be subject to disciplinary action by the BCCI,” the governing body said in its Health and Safety protocols.

Dubai, Aug. 7: None of the international players competing in the IPL will have to serve quarantine but the franchise members and families could face punishment if there is a “bubble breach”, according to the health and safety protocols released by the BCCI ahead of the T20 tournament which will resume next month at the UAE.

The remaining matches of the Indian Premier League, which was suspended in April after multiple bio bubble breach, will now take place in the United Arab Emirates from September 19 with the Chennai Super Kings taking on defending champions Mumbai Indians.

“Breach of any BioSecure Environment protocols by franchise members or their families will be subject to disciplinary action by the BCCI,” the governing body said in its Health and Safety protocols.

The IPL will see participation of players from across the globe, including from Australia, New Zealand, England, South Africa, West Indies and Bangladesh, among others.

According to the protocols, “All franchise team members must undergo a RT-PCR test, 72 hours before their scheduled flight ... All individuals must quarantine themselves and avoid contact with others after the test.

“All members whose RTPCR test result is negative may travel to the franchise’s city of choice,” it stated, which means that there is no quarantine for international players.

The document also said, “depending on the country of flight departure, all international passengers arriving at Dubai airport are required to display a negative RT-PCR test report for sample taken between 48-72 hours before their scheduled flight.

“For passengers arriving from India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan, it is mandatory that the RTPCR report includes a QR code linked to the original report for verification process,” it added.

The document also laid down the process which the “franchise team members and their families would undertake” for “entering and remaining within the Bubble.”

“They may only leave the Bubble in unavoidable circumstances. However, for unscheduled visits prior permission must be sought from the BCCI Chief Medical Officer before leaving the Bubble.”