IPL 14 Phase 2: BCCI's Major Step To Ensure Safety Of Players; 14 Bubbles To Be Created In UAE

A 46-page health advisory has been introduced by the BCCI, which states that members of all franchises involved with IPL will have to quarantine for six days before entering the bio-bubble.

BCCI Logo, Photo Courtesy: AFP

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is doing almost everything possible to ensure safety and health of all parties involved in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 Phase 2, all set to resume from September 19 in the United Arab Emirates.

Reportedly, a 46-page health advisory has been introduced by the BCCI to ensure smooth functioning of the cash-rich league, which states that members of all franchises involved with Indian Premier League (IPL) will have to quarantine for six days before entering the bio-bubble. Also, BCCI has decided to set up 14 bio-bubbles and out of these 14, eight would belong to franchises.

"Within the Bio-Secure Environment, 14 bubbles will be created as mentioned below: Franchise teams and support staff - 8 Bubble, Match Officials & Match Management Team - 3 Bubbles, Broadcast Commentators and crew - 3 Bubbles."

"All franchise team members must quarantine in their hotel room for 6 full days before entering the bubble. Upon arrival and before commencing any group training activities, all team members who will be included in the bubble will follow the below mentioned COVID-19 RT-PCR testing plan. A nasopharyngeal swab will be taken for testing. Test reports are available within 8-12 hours after sample collection," states the health advisory, accessed by ANI.

As per the BCCI health advisory and guidelines, everyone in the bubble must travel through dedicated vehicles only.

"During the IPL 2021, members within a bubble must travel only in the dedicated vehicles from a fleet of buses and cars accredited by BCCI, which will be sanitised regularly. The drivers of all such vehicles will also be in the respective bubbles, tested regularly for COVID-19, and undergo temperature screening," states the advisory.

"Players and team support staff coming directly from the bubble created for the England vs India series, Sri Lanka vs South Africa series and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) may be permitted to join the franchise squad without serving the mandatory quarantine period, provided they satisfy the below-mentioned criteria. Commentators and broadcast crew who are working on the above three series' can also avail bubble to bubble transfers provided they satisfy the criteria," states the advisory.