Coronavirus: ICC releases official guidelines for resumption of cricket matches

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday released fresh guidelines for the safe resumption of cricket after its abrupt pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The COVID-19 outbreak brought all sports activities to a halt, with players practising social distancing and self-isolation during the pandemic.

"ICC Back to Cricket Guidelines" is a comprehensive document developed by the ICC Medical Advisory Committee in consultation with Member Medical Representatives, and provides guidance for the safe resumption of community cricket, domestic professional cricket and international cricket.

However, the guidelines do not provide answers to when the game can resume in different parts of the world, rather it provides a framework with practical suggestions on how members can resume cricket in a manner that protects against the risk of transmission of infection with the COVID-19 virus.

The governing body also advised its members to use these guidelines as the basis to create their own policies for return to cricket activity in compliance, in all cases, with local and national government regulations (which should always take precedence) and to ensure the cricket community applies the necessary safety measures when resuming cricket.