LPL 2021: SLC allows double-vaccinated spectators up to 50% stadium capacity
The SLC has confirmed that up to 50% of the stadium capacity will be available to viewers for the second edition of the Lanka Premier League from Sunday.
Fans entering the stadium will have to be given a double vaccination, with at least two weeks having passed since the second dose, Arjuna De Silva, head of SLC's medical committee, announced Thursday. The board announced that the tickets will be available online in the coming days.
"We held talks with the Ministry of Health and they agreed to give us 50% viewers," said Arjuna at a pre-tournament media briefing. "There's a new variant [Omicron], but it doesn't matter as we always adhere to health guidelines. We ask for viewers who have been double-vaccinated for at least two weeks."
The ongoing series of tests between Sri Lanka and the West Indies marks the first time since last year's pandemic that fans are allowed in a stadium in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's bio-bubble protocols were successful during the LPL last year, with no Covid-19 cases detected during the tournament - two cases were reported prior to the start. All the games took place in a single location last year. This time, however, most of the games - including the playoffs - will take place at R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, with action moving to Hambantota for the start of the eliminator and the final.
"There could be a problem moving from venue to venue," said Arjuna. "That was the problem during the IPL, but it was also because a lot of teams had to fly to different locations. But we are confident that we can keep the bubble safe."
According to the Covid protocols, players will be tested every five days during the competition. Before entering the bubble, a player who is already in the country must do a PCR test 48 hours beforehand and quarantine themselves for 24 hours. Double vaccinated (with a vaccine approved by the SL / WHO) foreign players and domestic players flying in from abroad must present a negative PCR test 48 hours before arrival as well as a PCR on arrival. After that, they also have to be in quarantine for three days.
Most of the protocols remain the same for the unvaccinated players, with the exception of the quarantine period, which is extended to six days. You will also need to undergo a PCR and antigen test before they get into the bladder. "This is just to keep the players safe and the bubble safe," said Arjuna.
SLC will also use the services of the ICC's Anti-Corruption Department along with the Anti-Corruption Officers of the Sri Lankan Department of Sports to oversee the tournament. “There are three anti-corruption officers who have been nominated by the ICC. There were also anti-corruption officers last year, ”said Ashley De Silva, CEO of SLC.
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When asked if anti-corruption violations were reported during the inaugural edition, Ashley said, “We were not notified of any attempts last year. But we have their [ICC] anti-corruption department and the anti-corruption department "from the Department of Sports running this year's tournament."
Although the first edition of LPL was largely considered a success, the run-up to the second season faced major hurdles. The tournament has been postponed twice to avoid clashes with other T20 leagues around the world. And of the five franchises that participated in the first edition, three were canceled by the organizers, including the Jaffna Stallions franchise, which won the first season. Colombo and Dambulla franchises are the other two that have ended.
After the defending champion was eliminated, the stallion owners claimed mismanagement and a lack of transparency within the league. Earlier this week, the former owner of the Dambulla Giants made similar allegations.