IPL 2023 to Follow COVID Protocols If Players Test Positive

IPL 2023: The possibility of an increase in Covid cases has forced the BCCI to impose necessary Covid protocols. As per the reports, the cricketing board has asked the IPL franchises to follow the rules. While, IPL is finally going back to pre covid era with 7 home and 7 away games, in case any player tests positive, they will have to quarantine themselves for a week away from the main camp.

The IPL committee mentioned that testing will only be done for people who are exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms, not for asymptomatic. Any person testing positive even after day seven would require two negative tests, spaced out by 12 hours before they could rejoin the group. This contrasts with the relaxation of regulations in handling with Covid-19 cases in international cricket and other sports. Last year, IPL was played at 3 venues Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Pune with playoffs at Kolkata and Ahmedabad.

IPL 2023: Players in IPL will have to isolate for a week if tested positive

A report by ESPNCRICINFO reads, “While there has been a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases in India we still have to be careful of the emerging strains which are becoming a concern at regular intervals. Positive cases must be isolated for a maximum of seven days. Positive cases will not be allowed to participate in any match or any form of activity/event during the period of isolation. From day five, they can undergo an RT-PCR, provided they must be asymptomatic without any medication for 24 hours. Only after obtaining two negative RT-PCR tests 24 hours apart i.e. day five and day six, can they rejoin the group.”

On the international front, the Covid protocols changed when Tahlia McGrath was given permission to play when she tested positive during the Commonwealth Games. The same approach was adopted by the Australian men’s team during the T20 World Cup when Matthew Wade was allowed to play against England. Nonetheless, it is always better to be safe than sorry. The new season begins on March 31st with defending champions Gujarat Titans taking on 4-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings.