Trouble continues to brew for the Chennai Super Kings. The team marred by reported Sars Cov-2 virus infection, extended quarantine and withdrawals is yet again faced with a case of the bio-bubble breach.
A CSK player has reportedly breached the bio-secure bubble created for the Indian Premier League in the UAE.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has put in place strict protocols to thwart the threat of novel coronavirus. It is mandatory for the entire IPL contingent, including the television crew and other service providers, to strictly adhere to the bio-secure bubble.
A breach of the bubble would result in a six-day quarantine. A player repeating the offense would face suspension for one match. The third occurrence amounts to a suspension of the player for the entire tournament with the team getting no replacement. The rules are well-defined and shared with the teams.
Chennai Super Kings’ KM Asif, according to national daily, Indian Express, is found to have breached the bio-secure bubble. He will have to spend six days in quarantine.
The incident took place after Asif misplaced his room key. He did not seek mandatory permission for going to the hotel reception to get a duplicate key. As per guidelines, the reception doesn’t come under the ‘designated area’ and Asif, a medium-pacer from Kerala, was found to be outside his bubble. “It was an unintentional mistake but rules had to be followed. He underwent six days of quarantine and has now resumed practice with the team,” the daily has quoted an IPL source as saying.
The protocols define four acts omission or commission as a breach of the bio-bubble – a) unauthorised departure from the bio-secure bubble; b) not completing the daily health report; c) not wearing Restrata fob (GPS wristband), and c) missing a scheduled Covid-19 Test.
The rules apply to all staying in the bubble, including players’ family members.
Even the team officials or family members face similar action for the breach.
The IPL operations team is ejected from the tour party on the second offense, while the first offense invites six days in quarantine.