The Delhi and District Cricket Association has barred all “non-essential” people from the Arun Jaitley Stadium till the next review. The decision, taken in view of the Covid-19 blast in the Capital, shall stay in force during the Indian Premier League and also apply on the DDCA members.
“Only the limited people who are required for basic minimum day to day functioning, and essential services to ensure the smooth conduct of the IPL shall be allowed inside the Arun Jaitley stadium,” DDCA secretary Vinod Tihara has confirmed to the Sportinghub.
There is no threat to the IPL games in Delhi, confirmed Tihara, unless and until the State or the Central Government or the Board of Control for Cricket in India decided otherwise. “We are committed and well-prepared to offer the basic services a host association is expected to offer (for the IPL games),” said the DDCA secretary.
The DDCA Club House, gym and other services to the members shall remain shut. Special excess permissions are provided to the people whose services are required to make the Kotla ground and Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL-ready, he said. However, no other visitors are allowed. “Even we have decided against visiting the club, unless it is absolutely avoidable. Majority of the team will be working from home,” he added.
A week-long curfew, till April 26, has been imposed in Delhi after the national capital had for the first time reported more than 25,000 Covid-19 infections on Sunday. The city is scheduled to host its first IPL 2021 game on April 28 – between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
“We all know IPL is being played under a bio-secure bubble. We also want to ensure to maintain the sanctity of the decision which in this pandemic directly relates to our lives,” said Tihara. “People working in the stadium either from the DDCA, vendors or IPL service providers are following the warranted protocols.”
