The recent surge of COVID-19 cases in India has affected travelling conditions as well and New Zealand has banned the entry of people from India due to the second wave of the global pandemic. Although they did it for their good, they have one concern also and that is their several players are currently in India for the IPL 2021.
However, on Thursday, New Zealand have temporarily suspended entry for all travellers from India after the increased number of COVID-19 positive cases arriving from the country, as the local media reported. The ban was imposed after it was reported that 17 of the 23 new COVID-19 cases who are in isolation had arrived from India. The ban will commence on Sunday and will be there in place until April 28, New Zealand Herald reported.
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New Zealand Cricket (NZC), however, mentioned that they are monitoring the situation regarding the travel ban from India and are in contact with the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises for the players as well. Meanwhile, they will prepare for contingencies if the travel ban is extended beyond April 28 amid the crunch time of COVID-19. As the IPL ends on May 30, New Zealand players like Kane Williamson, Mitchell Santner, Trent Boult, and Kyle Jamieson are among others in the New Zealand squad who will play in the World Test Championship final which will be played in England from June 18.
“We’re monitoring the situation and are in contact with the IPL franchises to keep the lines of communication open, because the tournament’s due to go for some time. We’re prepared to discuss all contingencies, if the situation warrants. For argument’s sake, if it occurred with one of the test players, it might make more sense for them to continue on to England [for the test tour and world championship final],” New Zealand Herald quoted NZC public affairs manager Richard Boock as saying.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern too has opened up on the safety of these eight players: Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, Kyle Jamieson, Jimmy Neesham, Tim Seifert, Adam Milne and Lockie Ferguson and said that it is NZC’s responsibility.
