Chennai Super Kings’ pacemaker KM Asif has been identified as the first 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL) player to break the bio-bubble environment, according to reports. Asif spent 6 days in self-isolation, per protocols, before rejoining the CSK team.
Asif, the Kerala pacemaker, had lost his room key so he went to the hotel reception to get a replacement without informing any IPL or CSK official. Hotel reception is prohibited as it is not included in the “designated area”.
CSK had been hit hard by the coronavirus even before the tournament began when 13 members of the franchise, including fast pitcher Deepak Chahar and hitter Ruturaj Gaikwad, tested positive for Covid-19 just after their mandatory quarantine of 7 days after arriving in the United Arab Emirates in the first week of September.
“It was an inadvertent mistake, but you had to follow the rules. He underwent a six-day quarantine and has now resumed practice with the team, ”Indian Express quoted an IPL source.
The Cricket Control Board in India (BCCI) had established strict rules for players, team management, franchise and IPL officials for the 53-day tournament in a 16-page Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) document. published in early August.
The first violation of the biobubble will result in a new 6-day quarantine without payment for the players, while the second violation will result in a suspension of one match after completing the new 6-day quarantine. The third and final infraction will result in the suspension of the entire tournament and the removal of the bio-bubble. Franchises will also not be allowed a replacement if a player breaks the bio-bubble three times.
Players and support staff, both domestic and foreign, had to undergo 5 PCR Covid-19 tests before entering the biosecure environment in the United Arab Emirates. The players’ relatives and support staff also had to undergo such tests.
However, family members cannot travel with the team on match days from the hotel to the stadium and vice versa.
“Non-compliance with Bio-Secure Environment protocols by players and team support personnel will be punishable under the Rules of the IPL Code of Conduct,” the BCCI had said when it published the SOPs for IPL 2020.
Families are not allowed to enter the players and match officials area or the playing field at any time during practice and games.
“Any family member who violates biosafety protocols will have to remain in quarantine for 7 days and return two negative PCR tests on day 6 and day 7, in order to re-enter the biosecurity environment,” stated BCCI.
