The Board of Control for Cricket in India and the Emirates Cricket Board have appointed UAE-based VPS Healthcare to provide medical services for the ICC T20 World Cup, being held in the UAE and Oman, the company announced in an official statement.
This comes after the company was entrusted with the responsibility of the bio-bubble for the UAE leg of the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League.
With over 2,200 people within the bio-secure environment this time, this is apparently the biggest bio-bubble ever managed during any international cricket tournament held in the last two years.
It is said to constitute players, supporting staff and their families, broadcast crew, BCCI and International Cricket Council officials, staff at the hotel and stadium, and selected medical personnel.
To avoid any breach into the bio-secure environment, VPS Healthcare has reportedly implemented stringent protocols, like setting up 12 bio-bubbles in nine hotels — seven in Dubai and five in Abu Dhabi.
VPS Healthcare will reportedly also use Rapid RT-PCR tests in case of emergency situations, which will give the test results in 20-30 minutes.
All members within the bio-bubble are expected to be vaccinated.
Despite that, they are all expected to undergo regular RT-PCR tests to uphold safety measures.
The testing protocol for the members in the bio-bubble has been set by the ICC.
Throughout the tournament, VPS Healthcare anticipates conducting over 20,000 PCR tests. It can conduct 2,000 PCR tests each day, with a turnaround time of six hours for the results.
VPS Healthcare is also expected to provide medical support for the T20 World Cup.
