Seven-day isolation for Covid-positive players in IPL 2023

While players around the globe are being allowed to play despite testing positive for Covid-19, the Indian Premier League has decided to continue with its 2022 policy of putting individuals into week-long isolation if they test positive for the virus, ESPNcricinfo reported on Saturday (March 18).

There will be no need for a bio-secure bubble but players won’t be allowed to feature in a match or training until they return consecutive negative tests on days five and six of recovery after having tested positive. The testing will only be done for players showing signs of Covid, not for those who are asymptomatic. 

"While there has been a decline in the number of Covid-19 cases in India we still have to be careful of the emerging strains which are becoming a concern at regular intervals," the IPL's medical guidelines, which were distributed to franchises this week, say. 

"Positive cases must be isolated for maximum seven days. Positive cases will not be allowed to participate in any match or any form of activity/event during the period of isolation.

"From day five, they can undergo a RT-PCR, provided they must be must be asymptomatic without any medication for 24 hours. Once the first result is negative the 2nd test must be done 24 hours apart. Only after obtaining two negative RT-PCR tests 24 hours apart i.e. day five and day six, can they rejoin the group."

Last year, Australia’s all-rounder Tahlia McGrath became the first cricketer to feature in a match after testing positive in the Commonwealth Games T20 final against India. Since then, the likes of Mathew Wade, Matt Renshaw, and a few others have gone on to play despite having Covid. 

The 2023 IPL will commence on March 29, with Gujarat Titans taking on Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad.