BCCI issues SOPs to state associations for resumption of domestic cricket amid COVID-19 pandemic

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a particularized guideline, prepared by the board’s medical team, to the state associations for the resumption of domestic cricket activities. As per its 100-page long Standard Operating Procedure, the players will have to sign the form acknowledging the risks involved with training resumption amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2019-2020 domestic season ended in March. The upcoming season, which usually starts in August, is set to be a curtained one due to the health crisis. The BCCI has asked the state bodies to appoint a Chief Medical Officer, who along with the medical staff will be responsible for maintaining the bio-safety guidelines during the entire duration of camps, as well as the matches.

“The health and safety of players, staff and stakeholders will be the sole responsibility of respective State Cricket Associations,” read the BCCI guidelines on the resumption of cricket. Support staff, officials and ground staff over 60 years of age and with individuals with underlying medical conditions are restricted from attending training camps until “suitable guidelines are issued by the Government”.

Following the ICC’s ban, the players are barred from using saliva

Before the commencement of the season, the CMO will also need to conduct a webinar and inform the stakeholders about all the protocols. All the players and staff must download the Arogya Setu app for contact tracing, protection and prevention.

Any players and support staff suspected of COVID-19 like symptoms should undergo PCR tests. Two tests one day apart – Day One and Day Three – should be done to account for false negatives. If both the test results are negative, only then they will be allowed to attend the camp, read the SOPs.

Wearing a triple layer or N95 mask (without a valved respirator) over nose and mouth in public places is mandatory for all players and staff. In the case of accommodation, the players should be kept in single-occupancy rooms. Players are advised to take their own transportation on way to the stadium.

Training to be implemented following social distancing rules. All individual and team kit bags should be sanitized upon arrival and after every use. Following the ICC’s ban, the players are barred from using saliva. For creating a safe training environment, all team members should strictly adhere to and implement the protocols of these guidelines.