PCB appears ineffective to avoid coronavirus threat during HBL PSL 2020

• Health experts urge spectators to wear surgical masks and increase water intake at the stadiums to protect themselves from coronavirus attack.
• The government was struggling to ensure thermal scanners at all important places then how PCB could guarantee the same for the spectators at the stadiums, says PCB official.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears ineffective to ensure thermal scanning of the spectators at the stadiums during Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches to prevent spreading coronavirus in the country, despite having four cases reported in Karachi and Islamabad.

The PCB, which is organizing Pakistan's biggest cricketing event in the country, should have taken precautionary measures to avert possible coronavirus threats during the matches.

However, it is observed that PCB has so far appeared ineffective to ensure the thermal scanning of the spectators with the help of provincial governments to avoid 'coronavirus threats' during PSL matches.

Dr. Qaiser Sajjad, secretary-general Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) strongly urged the PCB to ensure thermal scanning of the spectators at the entry points of all four stadiums where PSL matches are being played.

"PCB should ensure thermal scanners at the stadiums," Dr. Qaiser told Business Recorder.

Dr. Qaiser further suggested the spectators to wear surgical masks and increase water intake at the stadiums to protect themselves from coronavirus attack.

The World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines stated: "Maintaining at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between persons and anyone who is coughing or sneezing as someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If anyone is too close, he/she can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease".

Contrary to the said guidelines, no arrangements for implementing WHO guidelines have so far been taken at the stadiums, putting the lives of thousands of spectators at the mercy of lethal COVID-19 that haunting millions across the globe.

PSL is emerging as a brand and earning pride for the country, experts said, any negligence by the organizers could cost heavily to the country's image.

The trend to watch cricket matches in stadiums is expected to increase in upcoming matches of PSL as the tournament is entering into the most thrilling phase and the sports lovers have advised the organizers and authorities concerned to ensure proper preventive healthcare arrangements for the visitors.

The PCB is holding PSL matches on four venues - Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Multan.

However, PCB officials, who don't want to be named, said that the government was struggling to ensure thermal scanners at all important places then how PCB could guarantee the same for the spectators at the stadiums.

"We are taking all possible measures - distribution of surgical masks and hand sanitizers through its commercial partner at the stadiums. In addition, all franchises, local and foreign players have been briefed about the measures being taken to protect from coronavirus". To a question, he said that PCB had a policy not to be vocal on this issue hence no official statement has so far been issued.