The ICC World Test Championship final has been granted an exemption by the UK Government. The match to be played for deciding the first ICC Test champion team will be played at the Hampshire Bowl from June 18 to 22. June 23 has been named the reserve day to make up for the lost time during the regular playing days.
The final between India and New Zealand has been granted an exemption by the United Kingdom Government as outlined in The Health Protection (Coronavirus, International Travel and Operator Liability) (England) Regulations 2021, released on 17 May 2021, the ICC stated in a Press release.
As per the bio-safety protocols established for the event, in line with UK Government and Public Health England requirements, the Indian Men’s team will arrive in the UK on 3 June 2021 via a charter flight and carrying evidence of a negative PCR Test.
Prior to travelling, the Virat Kohli and Co. will have to spend 14 days in a bio-secure environment in India during which regular testing will have taken place. Upon landing, they will proceed directly to the on-site hotel at the Hampshire Bowl where they will be tested again before commencing a period of managed isolation.
Regular tests will be conducted during the period of isolation. Players’ activity will be allowed in a gradually increasing manner after each round of negative testing, moving from exercise in isolation to small group and then larger squad activity, whilst always remaining within the bio-secure venue.
The New Zealand team are already in the UK ahead of their bilateral series against England and the team will transition from the ECB bio-secure environment into the World Test Championship Final bubble on 15 June and will be subject to regular testing prior to and post arrival in Southampton.
Outside of the Test match itself, where limited spectators are allowed under the UK government guidelines, there will be no public access to the site, with security around the hotel and ground.
