Sports Medicine Unit lays down health guidelines for resumption of cricket

Sri Lanka cricketers followed strict health guidelines during practice sessions held at Colombo and Kandy. The same rules will apply to all the cricketers when the domestic season resumes on 10 August

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq  

Cricket in the country after a long lay-off since March is due to recommence on 10 August with the Premier Super Eight and Premier Plate matches.

Sri Lanka Cricket that conducts the tournament has been issued certain health guidelines to be followed by players and officials connected to the game by the Institute of Sports Medicine, Ministry of Sports in hosting the matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among some of the health guidelines issued by the Institute of Sports Medicine for the resumption of domestic cricket are:

Family members will not be allowed at any matches, and the same applies to spectators.

There will be no handshakes or any contact between teams.

Players will only use named drink bottles and towels to avoid any sharing and towels should not be repeatedly used.

The twelfth man will wear a mask and gloves unless he is part of the contact cluster.

All players will wash their hands before and after the drinks break.

During breaks (lunch and tea) the teams will dine in separate designated areas with all player and staff meals and snacks being pre-ordered and ready for breaks maintaining social distancing.

There will be no buffets or finger foods including a snack table and, all cutlery and crockery are to be washed in high temperature before handling.

A series trophy can only be handled by the captain and it is a similar procedure to be adopted with the ‘Man of the Match’ award as well.

Other measures laid down by the Institute of Sports Medicine are:

• Family members will not be allowed at any matches, and the same applies to spectators.
• There will be no handshakes or any contact between teams.
• Players will only use named drink bottles and towels to avoid any sharing and towels should not be repeatedly used.
• The twelfth man will wear a mask and gloves unless he is part of the contact cluster.
• All players will wash their hands before and after the drinks break.
• During breaks (lunch and tea) the teams will dine in separate designated areas with all player and staff meals and snacks being pre-ordered and ready for breaks maintaining social distancing.
• There will be no buffets or finger foods including a snack table and, all cutlery and crockery are to be washed in high temperature before handling.
• A series trophy can only be handled by the captain and it is a similar procedure to be adopted with the ‘Man of the Match’ award as well.

Other measures laid down by the Institute of Sports Medicine are:

• A1 identified as gym/training ground/stadium
• A2 identified as pavilion/players’ sitting area
• A3 identified as outside the players’ playing area
• Players and support staff/ backroom staff/medical staff/care takers are confined to areas A1 and A2, A3 is for facility staff/cleaners/laundry staff/security staff. The ground staff will work at different times than players in A1.
• During rain breaks players, support staff and MO’s to sit in designated seats in the dressing room.
• Minimal on-field media may be present for post-match presentations and video conferencing should be considered for press conferences.
• In the case of COVID-19 suspicious cases the following steps have to be followed:
•  They should be immediately quarantined within a designated isolation zone. The location of these zones will be clearly communicated to the medical staff.

• The doctor and the venue medical manager must be informed immediately.

In the case of other illness and injury the following steps have to be followed:

• All illness and injuries should be managed as per normal procedures
• It is encouraged to manage injuries and illness within the bio-secure environment as far as possible to minimise any exposure to COVID-19.
• The manager is responsible to maintain all the guidelines and record.
• Infection prevention procedure
• Only one gate to enter and one gate to exit.
• Washbasin/s at the entrance with soap.
• Temperature check.
• Hand sanitisers inside the venue, positioned in pre-identified/recommended places.
• Closed dustbins inside the venue.