The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is planning to install coronavirus checkpoints in stadiums along with isolation centres as they look to resume international cricket without any spectators. The ECB had earlier suspended all professional cricket till May 28, which delayed the start of their new season amid the coronavirus pandemic that has killed almost 22,000 people world over.
However, the Director of Events of the ECB Steve Elworthy added that they are looking at how international cricket can be resumed at the earliest inside closed doors. The UK Government had banned mass gatherings of more than 500 individuals under lockdown so they could contain the Covid-19.
“We’re mapping out what international matches would look like behind closed doors,” Elworthy told the Guardian.
“You would likely have to work with less than 500 people (which would be made up of essential match day staff)… then you have to think about medical provisions, creating a safe and sterile environment around that venue, so that everyone who comes in is clear.
“So it’s how you test them at the gate, the isolation units that you have to put in. These are considerations we are thinking about.”
England are set to host West Indies, Australia, Pakistan and Ireland later this year, while the England Women’s team will host India and South Africa.
“We’re now thinking of all these things, the risks posed, and it just gets bigger and wider,” Elworthy said.
“But if that is the situation we are faced with then we will deliver on absolutely every single one of those to make sure it does happen.”
Elworthy, however, insisted everyone’s safety is the priority and the decision to conduct matches will not be decided by the economic need.
“One thing you have to consider is the national mood. You might be able to deliver a match but would it be the right thing? Operationally, we believe we can deliver anything but we have to have an eye on that. You don’t just operate in a bubble, you need peripheral vision.
“(And) making sure everyone is in a safe environment is front and centre of the discussions.”