KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board’s Medical Advisory Panel has put together robust health and safety Protocols for all participants of the Pakistan Super League 2022, which will be played in Karachi and Lahore from 27 January to 27 February.
According to rules, there won’t be any handshakes at toss or after the match and players won’t be able to share any equipment as PCB has announced strict COVID-19 protocols for the PSL7.
The PCB has also warned players and other participants of the league of serious penalties, including expulsion from the league if anyone is found breaching the protocols. The protocols have already been shared with the teams and were made public for the very first time.
“The Health and Safety Protocols document has been designed to ensure health and safety of all participants as well as to provide them safe and secure environment to prepare, play and perform in the PCB’s marquee event,” the PCB said in a statement.
The PCB said the three-day room isolation commenced on 20 January. Participants will now be allowed to enter the Managed Event Environment and integrate with their sides only following two negative tests.
In the event period from 27 January to 7 February, all participants will undergo four PCR tests. After being tested upon arrival in Lahore, all participants will undergo seven PCR tests from 10-27 February.
There will be mandatory seven-day isolation for any participant who tests positive. On day seven, the participant will undergo a Rapid Antigen Test and will be allowed to re-integrate with the side if he tests negative.
In case of a positive result, the participant will isolate for another three days before re-integrating with the side without requesting an exit test. For a player or player support staff to enter the Managed Event Environment, three-day isolation is mandatory and will require two negative tests before re-integrating with the side
Minor breaches
- Not maintaining social distancing of, at least, six-feet with people outside the designated zones
- Sharing drinks, water bottles, equipment, clothing, towels, and kits with others
- Handshakes with other participants before and after the match
Not removing dirty laundry from the ground/dressing room after the end of the match - Going into an occupied isolation room without approval from the Match Manager
- Physiotherapists / Masseurs not wearing masks covering their nose and mouths during treatments
- Engaging in individual physiotherapy sessions more than 15 minutes in duration
- Being present in a restricted area without authorisation
- Meeting anyone from outside the designated bubble other than those on Field of Play
- Breaching any of the Protocols as outlined in the PSL Health and Safety Protocols
Major breaches
- Visiting or allowing anyone inside hotel room other than maintenance staff
- Not wearing a face mask covering the nose and mouth when required
- Exiting room during quarantine except for when permitted
- Procuring any item from outside the relevant bubble without informing
- Not providing symptom update when asked
- Not informing about developing symptoms
- Taking any measure/medication that could mask symptoms or alter test results
- Meeting any person who is currently symptomatic or has tested positive
- Sharing any information related to Covid cases and/or symptomatic individuals with any unauthorised personnel
