Tests every fifth day during IPL

NEW DELHI: Indian players and support staff will have to return negative for Covid-19 at least five times before they start training in the UAE and subsequently will be tested every fifth day during the IPL, according to a draft prepared by the BCCI.

A BCCI official said all Indian players and support staff will have to undergo two RT-PCR tests, 24 hours apart, a week before joining the 14-day quarantine with their respective teams in India. “Following their arrival in the UAE, the players and support staff will have to return at least three negative tests during a week’s quarantine and if they are negative, they can enter the bio-bubble and start training.

“There could be minor changes to this protocol depending on the feedback from the teams but there will not be any compromise on players and team officials’ safety,” the official said.

During the first week in UAE, the players and team officials will not be allowed to meet each other in the hotel and they can only do so after they test negative thrice, following which they will be cleared to enter the tournament bio-bubble.

“All overseas players and support staff also need to undergo two RT-PCR tests and return negative result before flying in to UAE,” said the official.

The players and support staff will be tested on Day 1, 3 and 6 of their quarantine in the UAE and after clearing that, they will be tested every fifth day during the 53-day event. The teams can do more tests on their own and additional tests may also be conducted under the rules put in place by the UAE government.

The teams have been told to not fly out before August 20 so that they can carry out the necessary testing protocols.