Bio-secure bubble

Bio-secure bubble, sometimes simply referred to as a bubble, was introduced in many sports during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is an environment for the players which is cut off from the outside world, the main purpose being to minimize and prevent the risk of being contracted with the coronavirus through limiting the contact from outside world.[1]

Usage

Cricket

In cricket, bio-secure bubbles were introduced in 2020 during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic timeframe, whilst matches were played behind closed doors. The players are required to stay inside their hotel facilities as a self isolation for a period of days ranging from seven to fourteen without interacting with fellow players.[2] Only players, match officials, support staff and coaching staff are allowed by the International Cricket Council in the bio-secure bubble once they test negative for the COVID-19 after the PCR tests. The players who are involved in bilateral international cricket series, domestic cricket competitions, franchise T20 leagues are not permitted to meet their friends, families and relatives during the duration of the cricket tournaments and matches.[1]

In July 2020, the test series between England and West Indies marked the first ever instance in international cricket to have followed the new normal bio-secure bubble. England Cricket Board introduced their safe bio secure bubble to the visiting West Indies cricket team to quarantine before the start of the series.[3] On 16 July 2020 during the morning of the second Test between England and West Indies, Jofra Archer was dropped from England's squad for the fixture, after he breached biosecurity protocols.[4] As a result, he was placed in isolation for five days,[5] fined, and given a written warning by the ECB.[6]

In November 2020, six members of the Pakistan squad who were due to play against New Zealand in T20I and test series in December tested positive for COVID-19, and it was reported that relevant players had breached the rules and regulations regarding the bio-secure bubble as well as the COVID-19 protocols.[7] Pakistani players were reported to have shared food with each other and interacting with each other before fulfilling the quarantine procedures. Pakistan team had received first warning from both New Zealand Cricket and Government of New Zealand stating that another similar kind of breach could result in cancellation of the series and meanwhile Pakistan team would be sent home.[8][9]

Bio-secure bubbles in cricket are deemed to have dramatically affected the mental health of the cricketers and some cricketers have expressed displeasure over the strict quarantine and bio-secure bubble environment.[10] The bio-secure bubble was compared to the like of living in a Bigg Boss house.[11]

Association football

In association football, some leagues has opted holding their season under a bio-secure bubble such as the Chinese Super League (2020)[12] Indian Super League (2020–21), and the I-League (2020–21).[13] The Philippines Football League is noted for hosting its 2020 season in under just two weeks under a bio-secure bubble and a downscaled format due to financial and logistics issues caused by the pandemic.[14]

Basketball

Bio-secure bubbles has also been utilized in basketball. The Taiwanese Super Basketball League became the first basketball league in the world to hold a tournament in a bubble set-up.[15] The NBA Bubble, and WNBA Bubble was set up in July 2020 to salvage the 2019–20 season and the playoffs.[16]

Other leagues around the world have also followed suit. The entirety of the 2020 seasons of the Philippine Basketball Association[17] and the Vietnam Basketball Association were also likewise held in a bubble, among others.

References
  1. Writer, Staff (2020-09-17). "What are 'bio-secure bubbles'? The new normal for cricket tournaments". mint. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  2. Saroha, Aditya (2020-09-07). "Decoding the bio-bubble: The invisible shield changing the dynamics of sport". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  3. "Bio-secure bubble saved England's 2020 home season, but may not be possible to recreate next year, says ECB". India Today. October 6, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  4. "Jofra Archer excluded from second England-West Indies Test". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  5. "Jofra Archer dropped by England after breach of biosecurity protocols". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  6. "Jofra Archer: England bowler fined and given written warning by ECB". BBC Sport. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  7. Thornton, Chandler. "Pakistani cricketers on 'final warning' after six players breach isolation rules in New Zealand". CNN. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  8. "'Final warning' for Pakistan players in NZ". cricket.com.au. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  9. "Wasim Khan warns Pakistan players: 'One more breach and they'll send us home'". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  10. "Stress of bio-secure bubbles: Sam Curran expects players to 'pull out at different stages'". www.espncricinfo.com. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  11. "IPL 2020 bio-secure bubble almost like living in 'Big Boss' house, jokes Shikhar Dhawan". India Today. September 16, 2020. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  12. Stebbings, Peter (21 August 2020). "Cabin fever hits Chinese football's coronavirus 'bubble'". The Jakarta Post. Agence France-Presse. Retrieved 21 November 2020.
  13. "ISL and I-League bubbles in Goa and Kolkata: All you need to know". ESPN.com. 14 October 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. "The two-week season: coronavirus shrinks the PFL". ABS-CBN News. Agence France-Presse. 29 October 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  15. Stein, Marc (April 10, 2020). "Can the N.B.A. Learn From Taiwan's Basketball Bubble?". The New York Times. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  16. Carroll, Rory (28 July 2020). "Bio-secure bubble presents unprecedented challenges for NBA". Reuters. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  17. Naredo, Camille (22 December 2020). "Bubble or closed circuit? PBA discussing all options for Season 46". ABS-CBN News.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.