Bio-Secure Bubble & Strict Covid Protocols for India Open 2021

India Open 2021 will be played within a bio-secure bubble and behind closed doors without any crowd or media presence, the Badminton Association of India was compelled to take this hard stance as the rising number of corona virus cases continue to wreak havoc with the sport as well as general life in the country.

The sport’s governing body issued a short statement which attributed the decision to the sudden spurt in corona positive cases across the Indian capital as well as the rest of the country. There will also be strict implementation of the covid safety protocols as prescribed by experts to ensure no untoward incident during the course of the tournament.

"Due to the rapidly rising COVID-19 cases in the country, the tournament will be contested in a bio-secure bubble without spectators and media while implementing strict COVID-19 safety protocols," the BAI statement said.

Further outlining the quarantine rules for the Olympics qualifying event, the BAI has prescribed two levels of quarantine periods – one for players from South Africa, Brazil, Middle East and European countries and UK that starts on the 3^rd of May for a 7-day quarantine, while a second one for players from rest of the world starting 6^th of May for a 4-day quarantine period.

BAI also added that there will be multiple covid tests conducted by the Delhi Government in line with its covid protocols. These will be on arrival – May 3^rd and 6^th respectively as well as subsequently on May 9^th and 14^th. 

Speaking on the developments, BAI Secretary Shri Ajay Singhania said that the association had to be cautious given the spike in cases in recent times. 

"We understand spectators have been an integral part of our growth story but this year despite it being an Olympic qualifier and an array of star shuttlers in action, we have to take the decision of conducting the tournament in a bio bubble," the secretary added.