LPL to go ahead with ‘eased’ health restrictions
Local health authorities have eased health restrictions to allow cricketers participating in the inaugural Lanka Premier League (LPL) to begin ‘small cluster training’ sessions from day four of their mandatory seven-day quarantine period–a major deviation from the earlier policy of strict 14 days complete isolation.
The Bangladesh Test series, which was scheduled for last month, had even been cancelled because health authorities had insisted on this 14-day quarantine. But, with cricket being played under bio-secure environments around the globe, they finally relented in favour of a “sensible” set of regulations.
Sri Lanka postponed almost all inbound tours scheduled for this year because of the pandemic. And, while the proposed LPL tournament will not be too lucrative, it is considered as vital for bridging the ever-widening gap between international and domestic cricket.
The guidelines now will see all participants divided into two groups. One will consist of team members, coaching, technical and medical staff, logistics personnel of the teams and personal medical attendees. Group two will have match and ICC officials, sponsors/franchise representatives, production and media crew. Only they will be allowed to be part of the tournament.
Group I will have a seven-day quarantine period. The others shall go through a 14-day quarantine in the hotel before resuming tournament work.
LPL teams are advised to order food to their individual rooms and avoid common areas. The physical distancing of two metres and masks are a must, even while interacting with others within their bubble. The players will not be allowed to meet their families or friends until the tournament is over.
The new health guidelines will allow players to begin small cluster training on day four following a negative PCR test done on day three of their seven-day quarantine period. They can get into full gear from the seventh day onward, training as a team–but after the return of negative PCR tests. Until then, no mixing of local and foreign players is allowed.
On the ninth day of the tournament, players will once again be tested for COVID-19 and those with negative results are allowed to play. However, PCR tests will be done every other day on Group I for the entirety of the tournament. The others will have tests carried out on every fifth day.
Their change of policy was a major breakthrough for tournament organisers who pledged it will be played in a bio-secure bubble with strict adherence to the health guidelines issued on November 9. The five-team tournament is scheduled from November 26 to December 16 in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota.
The guidelines describe the biosecure bubble as a sealed-off area for a designated group of people who are isolated from the rest of the community. There are ten designated bubbles. The first five bubbles include the players, coaching staff, team logistic staff, technical and medical staff (including personal medical staff). The rest are in the remainders.
No one will be allowed to breach their respective bubbles. If it is proven that they breached protocol, they will subject to a seven-day quarantine and two PCR negative tests before returning to the bubble. Individuals must be regularly tested and their temperatures checked with respective health reports filed accordingly.
The bio-bubble does not just limit itself to the pitch or field. It is mandatory that all stakeholders take part in this new form of quarantine. The organisers will provide ‘biosecure bubbles’ in hotels, training sessions, matches and transportation.
While the foreigners are required to do two PCR tests prior to enplaning, they are also required to be tested on arrival at the airport before joining the bubble. Local players are also required to do two tests 72 hours apart and on the day of joining the bubble.