IPL 2020 schedule on hold after CSK staff test positive for COVID: Report
BCCI has assured that there will be 'no immediate threat' to IPL, which is scheduled to start on September 19
The BCCI has reportedly put IPL 2020 schedule on hold after Chennai Super Kings player Deepak Chahar tested positive for COVID-19. Media reports say that he can return to training only after completing 14 days in quarantine.
After that, he has to test negative for COVID-19 twice. Only then will Chahar be allowed into the bio-secure zone.
BCCI on its part said that there was "no immediate threat to IPL", which will start as scheduled on September 19. But this would mean that the announcement of schedules will be delayed, say reports.
Thirteen personnel have tested positive for COVID, two of whom are players. BCCI notified that the affected personnel and their close contacts are asymptomatic and are isolated from the other team members.
It is believed that the CSK team was exposed to COVID at a camp prior to leaving for Dubai. BCCI, who had reservations about the camp, had reportedly asked officials to ask the CSK management to cancel the plan.
BCCI has also announced a stringent health and safety protocol for IPL 2020.
"Accordingly, upon landing in the UAE, all the participants have followed a mandatory testing and quarantine programme. Total of 1,988 RT-PCR COVID tests were carried out between August 20th – 28th across all participant groups in the UAE. These groups include Players, Support Staff, Team Management, BCCI Staff, IPL Operational team, Hotel and ground transport Staff," read BCCI's official statement.
As per the IPL 2020 Health and Safety Protocols testing on all participants will be conducted regularly throughout the IPL 2020 Season.
