Here are the health protocols for players, spectators in VPL

By Demion McTair. Updated 8:37 a.m., Monday, May 25, 2020, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Kingstown, St. Vincent (ONE NEWS SVG) – The Vincy Premier League (VPL) is currently taking place in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when most countries have shut down activities such as sports.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with only 18 COVID-19 cases, four (4) of which are active, gave the green light for the staging of the tournament which runs from May 22 to 31.

Have you ever wondered what measures are in place to protect the health of players, officials, and spectators in the VPL?

Here are 20 health protocols for players and officials, and 15 for spectators in the VPL.

The protocols have been sanctioned by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment and are in addition to a requirement for mass cleaning of the venue after each day of play.

20 PROTOCOLS FOR PLAYERS AND OFFICIALS

Players and Officials

1. All players and officials will complete a COVID-19 electronic self-assessment form to report on any prior exposure or symptoms of COVID-19. This assessment will be conducted one day prior to the start of the tournament and on Day 5 of the tournament. The software is already available to the players: https://vincyt10.populus.plus/
2. Prior to the tournament, all players attending training must wear a mask if using public transportation to commute to and from practice.
3. Players have received masks to wear to and from the matches, and will be required to wear masks once they are off the field.
4. Prior the tournament, there will sessions with each team to sensitize players about COVID-19 and preventive measures. Further, signage with clear and actionable guidance for safe operations through the tournament will be in and around the players’ pavilion.
5. During the tournament, transportation will be provided for all players to and from matches to further reduce the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Transportation will be arranged such that
   players are able to practice physical distancing during their commute.
   Details:
   North Leeward daily: 7 persons in an 18 seater
   North Windward: 17 persons in 29 seater
   Georgetown: 12 person in 18 seater
   All other players will be in their private vehicle only or with one other player.
   A logistics coordinator will liaise with team managements daily to make adjustments, if necessary.
   
6. On arrival at the venue daily, temperature checks will be performed for all players and officials by nurses on duty. This will be done under 2 large tents outside the players pavilion
   area. The players will be spaced out according to the advisory for social distancing.
7. Players will arrive at different times. The first two teams will arrive at 7:30AM. The remaining teams will arrive at 9:30AM. This will give sufficient time and space to conduct the testing of temperature in a safe and efficient manner.
8. At the venue, each team will be assigned a private and sufficient space where physical distancing could be practiced. More specifically, the two playing teams will occupy the
   players’ pavilion, which has 5 sections for each team, and potential capacity of 20 persons each. A maximum of 3 persons will be assigned to each section. Additionally, the other teams
   awaiting their match will be assigned under separate area. They will be placed in the Double decker pavilion and Media Center Pavilion, which has a capacity of over 3000 seats. with adequate spacing. This we thought would be even more effective than tents.
9. Players will not be allowed to share cricket gears or consumables.
10. Players and officials must immediately report to their management and the SVG Cricket Association if they come into contact with a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient once
    there is such development.
11. All players and officials must immediately report any symptoms related to COVID-19 to team management and directly to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association (SVGCA).
    The undermentioned steps must be followed in the event of a suspected case of COVID-19 among any player (or official) of the VPL:
    
    I. Detection
    Player or official reports being in contact with someone suspected or diagnosed with COVID-19 OR develops any of the following symptoms during the tournament: Fever (selfreported or measured temperature > 100.4 F or 38 C), cough, shortness of breath, new
    loss of taste or smell, headache, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, abdominal pain.
    II. Isolation
    The player or official will be isolated in one of the isolation rooms. No further contact will be had with this player or official. The player or official will be suspended from participation in the tournament until clearance is received from the health authorities.
    III. Notification of Health Authorities
    Team management and/or the SVGCA will contact the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment COVID-19 Task Force via the COVID-19 Hotline 784-534-4325 or the Accident and Emergency Department 784-456-1955 for guidance on next steps regarding
    medical attention and/or COVID-19 testing.
    IV. Identifying contacts
    Any identified player with developed symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to confirm the persons they would have been in contact with. Management of the player’s team will be responsible along with the COVID-19 Protocol officers to identify all contacts.
    This will be done with the guidance and collaboration with the COVID-19 Task Force.
    V. Additional Measures
    All areas previously occupied by the player or official suspected of COVID-19 will be cleaned and sanitized as per Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment guidelines.
    
12. The use of liquid in any form on the cricket balls will NOT be permitted.
13. During match time, the ball must be returned to the bowler in a manner that minimizes handling of the ball.
14. Players and officials will be advised to avoid touching their face with unwashed hands and practice proper cough and sneeze etiquette at all times.
15. Sophisticated hand sanitizing stations will be set up around the boundaries of the ground.
16. Players must sanitize hands before going onto the field and when coming off the field.
17. The standing umpires will have a hand sanitizer tube available at all times in the middle for any player wishing to sanitize hands at any point in the match.
18. During the fall of a wicket, the 12th and 13th men will provide hand sanitizers for all players on their respective teams before the resumption of play.
19. The dressing room areas will be cleaned throughout innings and immediately after every game before the dressing room is reoccupied.
20. Players will leave at different times. Two assigned time of departure are advised, 1st 11:00AM, which will include the first two teams; then other teams will leave at 2:30PM. Players will be asked to exit facility with safe practice of social distancing.
    

15 PROTOCOLS FOR SPECTATORS

Spectators

1. An incremental phased approach will be used for spectators, with assessment done daily after matches. Assessment team will include the VPL COVID-19 Protocol Officers, a representative from COVID-19 Task force, and representatives from the SVGCA. The
   following is being proposed:
   • Day one: No Spectators
   • Day two: 50 spectators
   • Day three: 100 spectators
   • Day four to seven: 150 spectators
   • Day Eight: 250 spectators
   • Day 9 & 10: 300 spectators.
   Spectators on all days will sit 5 seats apart. Seats will be marked.
   
2. Consideration will be given only after day 5 for family members from the same household to sit together.
3. Law enforcement officers will be present to ensure that physical distancing according to the seating arrangement is adhered to by spectators.
4. Patrons will be able to obtain tickets throughout the week from the cricket office. They will also be able to obtain tickets at a second booth on match days. There will be hand sanitizers at both ticket outlets for use by patrons before and after transactions. Additionally, there will be marks on the floor outside the outlets for persons to observe the physical distancing.
   Details:
   a. the location of entry and exist points to the facility
   The entry point will be the main gate, from the methodist Church area. The Exit points are the main
   gate and the gate at the bridge (Thomas building).
   b. the location of entry and exist points for each stand.
   Day 2 – 7 (Maximum 150 spectators)
   Two stands will be used: PH Veira and Michael Findlay.
   Entry to PH Veira (left side of the stand)
   Exit from PH Veira (Middle of the PH Veira & Michael Findlay)
   Day 8 (Maximum 250 spectators)
   Two stands will be used: PH Veira and Michael Findlay.
   Entry to PH Veira (left side of the stand)
   Exit from PH Veira (Middle of the PH Veira & Michael Findlay)
   Entry & Exit for Frank Thomas (main gate, will be open completely. This is 20ft wide).
   Day 9 & 10 (Maximum 300 spectators)
   Three stands will be used: PH Veira, Michael Findlay, and Frank Thomas
   Entry to PH Veira (left side of the stand)
   Exit from PH Veira (Middle of the PH Veira & Michael Findlay)
   Entry to Michael Findlay (right side of the stand, close to Netball court)
   Exit from Michael Findlay (Middle of the PH Veira & Michael Findlay)
   Entry & Exit for Frank Thomas (main gate, will be open completely. This is 20ft wide).
   
   c. spacing requirements/plan during the purchase of tickets.
   The ground at the two outlets will have marking with a minimum of 3 ft distance apart. There ample space at both areas for more than 150 persons at 3ft distance. Differently put, crowding
   less than the 3ft feet is very avoidable.
   d. Seating arrangement for players and spectators.
   Players
   Consistent with the players section #8, the following will apply. In the players pavilion, players have a minimum of 20 x 15 ft room to space out and maximum 30 x 25 ft. Only 3 persons will be in a room.
   Players arriving for second match will go straight to warm up drills. One team will be outside Arnos
   Vale (2), the next will be in the nets (back of the stadium).
   Players arriving for third match will be spaced out at least 5 seats apart in the 3000 capacity double
   decker pavilion.
   Spectators:
   Day 2 & 3
   Maximum of 25 persons in PH Veira stand (capacity 400), sitting a minimum of 5 seats apart.
   Maximum of 75 persons sitting 5 seats apart in Michael Findlay (capacity 1000).
   Day 4 – 7
   Maximum of 50 persons in PH Veira stand (capacity 400), sitting a minimum of 5 seats apart.
   Maximum of 100 persons sitting 5 seats apart in Michael Findlay (capacity 1000).
   Day 8
   Maximum of 50 persons in PH Veira stand (capacity 400), sitting a minimum of 5 seats apart.
   Maximum of 100 persons sitting 5 seats apart in Michael Findlay (capacity 1000). In Frank
   Thomas, maximum of 100 persons sitting 5 seats apart (capacity 1101).
   Day 9 & 10:
   Maximum of 50 persons in PH Veira stand (capacity 400), sitting a minimum of 5 seats apart.
   Maximum of 125 persons sitting 5 seats apart in Michael Findlay (capacity 1000). In Frank
   Thomas, maximum of 125 persons sitting 5 seats apart (capacity 1101).
5. All patrons will be given a mask, which they must wear at all times at the match.
6. There will be a medical station for spectators.
7. Signage with clear and actionable guidance for safe operations throughout the tournament will be placed around the stadium.
   
8. Public Announcements will be frequently broadcasted to advise persons about physical distancing and the other preventive actions.
9. There will be hand sanitizing stations in the pavilions and entrance to restrooms.
10. Each washroom will have one person assigned to manage entry, with no more than 3 persons permitted at a time.
11. Liquid soap will be available in all washrooms.
12. Washrooms will be cleaned throughout the matches.
13. An isolation room will be designated to accommodate a spectator who shows or reports symptoms of COVID-19 during the tournament.
14. Each pavilion will have two entry and exit points.
15. Professional cleaning company will be used to sanitize the entire facility throughout the tournament.