IPL 2021: Cricket Officials Need To Produce Negative RT-PCR Test To Watch Matches At Wankhede Stadium

The IPL 2021 commenced on Friday with an eventful clash between defending champions Mumbai Indians and Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore which went down to the last ball with the Challengers clinching the victory. It is unfortunate that the crowd could not be present at the Chepauk Stadium to witness the cliffhanger.

But there were some people seen sitting in the stands during the game, notably the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, Sourav Ganguly. Along with Ganguly, the other people were officials of the BCCI, state boards, and other associations attended the match.

However, now, in wake of the surge of covid-19 cases in Maharashtra, the BCCI has mandated for every official attending the IPL 2021 matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to produce a negative RT-PCR test, which should not be more than 48 hours older.

MS Dhoni’s returns as Chennai take on Delhi in IPL 2021 at Wankhede

After BCCI’s order, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) informed the Apex Council members about the same. Recently, about 10 ground staff at the Wankhede tested positive for the virus, but thankfully, as reported, they have recovered and later returned a negative test.

“Dear Apex Council members, as per the BCCI’s protocol, all the officials who would be attending IPL- 2021 matches at the Wankhede Stadium are required to produce a negative report of the RT-PCR test conducted within 48 hours of match-day,” MCA secretary Sanjay Naik wrote in the letter to Apex Council members.

“The tests are mandatory even for those who’ve been vaccinated. The report will have to be produced at the time of entry on each match day. Hence you are requested to get yourself tested at your end and carry the negative report to the stadium on match day,” Naik added.

The first game of IPL 2021 at the Wankhede will be played on Saturday between 3-time champions Chennai Super Kings, and last season’s runners-up, Delhi Capitals. In total, Wankhede will host 10 matches this season from April 10th to 25th.

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