Posted: September 1, 2020 5:29:12 pm
A total of 1988 COVID tests were conducted between August 20 and 28 on everyone involved in the tournament, including players and support staff. (IPL / File)
India’s cricket board has budgeted nearly Rs 10 crore for more than 20,000 COVID-19 tests to be conducted during the Indian Premier League starting on September 19.
While the eight franchises assumed the cost of the tests in India, the BCCI is paying the bill for the RT-PCR tests that were carried out since August 20, when the teams began landing in the UAE.
“We have contracted with VPS Healthcare, a company based in the UAE, to carry out the tests. While I can’t put a number, it will be over 20,000 tests that would include everyone. Each test would cost the BCCI around AED 200 (Dirham) without tax, ”a senior IPL official told PTI under conditions of anonymity.
“So BCCI will spend something on the order of 10 million rupees on COVID testing. Around 75 health workers who are part of the company are part of the IPL testing process, ”said the official.
The BCCI does not want to leave anything to chance when it comes to the safety of the players and the officials and health workers have stayed in a separate hotel.
“We couldn’t have taken the risk. The company has created a separate bio-bubble in a hotel. About 50 of its healthcare staff are attached to the testing process, while another 25 are engaged in laboratory and documentation work.
“However, the BCCI is not paying for this bio-bubble and the hotel expenses that will be borne by the company,” he reported.
A total of 1988 COVID tests were conducted between August 20 and 28 on everyone involved in the tournament, including players and support staff.
The Chennai Super Kings were forced to extend their quarantine after 13 members of their contingent tested positive, including two players from Indian fishing company Deepak Chahar and team A batter Ruturaj Gaikwad.
All are currently in a mandatory 14-day quarantine, after which they will have to return two negative tests, after which they can train again.
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