After successfully making a full recovery from the global virus, India batsman Karun Nair is ready to head to the UAE with his Indian Premier League squad Punjab.
Nair, unfortunately, became the first Indian cricketer of note to contract the deadly virus which has affected over two million people in India and forced the Indian T20 League to be held outside India for the third time in the series' history.
His most recent negative test was reportedly on August 8 and he had isolated himself over two weeks ago. However, he will still have to undergo three more tests to fulfil the protocol set by the team for the group headed to the UAE.
Those who successfully clear this process will be taking off for the UAE on August 20. Should Nair make the cut, he will set off with a smaller group from Bengaluru on a charter flight which will then pick up more players and staff from Delhi.
Punjab co-owner Ness Wadia highlighted what was at stake if there was a lapse in safety measures by saying, "We are very concerned about the safety of the players and all others involved. Even if there is one case, the Indian T20 League could be doomed."
Aside from the squad's own measures, the Indian T20 League themselves have mandated strict processes which include multiple tests and a week's quarantine after touching down in the UAE before training is allowed to commence.
On top of that, as part of the UAE government's norms, anyone entering the country will need to show a negative test result obtained within the previous 96 hours.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Indranil Mukherjee
