The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has advised the state teams participating in the domestic championships to avoid public transport and restrict the size of their squad. In a detailed communications to the state associations, seen by Cricbuzz, the BCCI has asked the teams to have a maximum of 30 members with only 20 players and 10 support staff members.

“Each team is encouraged to have a team physician to manage COVID related issues,” an elaborate BCCI advisory said, adding, “Use of public transport viz. share rides (Uber, Ola, etc), trains, local bus network, etc is strictly prohibited during the tournament.” The domestic season starts later this year in different centres and will run almost till April.

The BCCI also has an advisory on match fee. The note reads, “20 players will be eligible for Match fee (Playing XI will be eligible for 100 per cent while the remaining 9 will be entitled for 50 per cent). In case where a Team India cricketer is deputed by the BCCI to participate in domestic cricket, he or she will be eligible for match fee over and above the 20 players based on Playing XI and non-Playing XI status in the matches.”

As has been the recent trend, the teams will have to quarantine for six days before entering a bio-bubble and again when they reach another centre for the knockouts. “All players and support staff must quarantine in their respective hotel rooms for 6 days after arrival at the hotel. Upon arrival and before commencing any training activities, all players and team support staff who will be included in the Bio-Secure Environment will be subjected to the below mentioned COVID-19 RT-PCR testing plan. A nasopharyngeal swab will be taken for testing. Test reports are available within 12-24 hours after sample collection,” the advisory states.

“Anyone testing positive for COVID-19 must isolate for 10 days and seek advice of local health authorities. During their 10-day isolation period, the individual must repeat the RT-PCR tests, at least 24 hours apart, on Day 9 and Day 10 from the day the first RT-PCR test was conducted. Provided the individual is without any symptoms associated with COVID-19 for more than 24 hours, has not taken any medications in the previous 24 hours and both test reports are negative, they may be allowed to join their team.”

The players will have to use PPE kit in case of a need to leave the bubble because of exigencies. “In exceptional circumstances, if players are required to visit a hospital for scans or non-COVID treatment, special corridors will be created to avoid close contact with any individuals who are outside their bio-secure bubble. Players and accompanying team staff must wear PPE (face masks and gloves) during hospital visits,” the note advises.