IND vs NZ: Restriction of movement eased by West Bengal government in view of Kolkata T20I

The West Bengal government have relaxed the restrictions for the common public ahead of the third T20I between India and New Zealand at Eden Gardens on Sunday. The state has been observing restricted movement between 11 PM to 5 AM in the light of the Covid-19 pandemic, which have been relaxed for two hours for November 21.

“In view of the 3rd T-20 international cricket match between India and New Zealand at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on November 21, 2021, restrictions relating to the movement of people and vehicles between 11 pm to 5 am shall be relaxed for 2 hours from 11 pm of November 21 to 1 am of November 22 for spectators, players, match officials, organisers and other persons associated with the said match,” a notification issued by the West Bengal government on Saturday said.

There are a slew of special preparations in place at Eden Gardens, which will welcome nearly 47000 people as it hosts an international fixture after two years. The organizers have mandated the attendees to practice Covid-19 appropriate behaviour as all spectators will be checked for the temperature at the gates, while a seat will be kept vacant after three occupied seats in a bid to ensure social distancing.

“There will be a quarantine facility in the hotel, staff there and staff at the stadium would also have to follow the quarantine rules. There would be a channel from where they [the teams] will be going to the ground. Not the regular entry that they take from the Club House, it will be from Gate No. 17, and they will be going to the dressing room through the interiors,” CAB president Avishek Dalmiya told Sportskeeda recently.

“It’s not just the sporting organization that lays the norms, so it has to be whatever the current protocols and guidelines issued by the state and other government agencies, those will be followed. We are keeping one seat vacant after every three occupied seats that are already there for the social distancing. There will be temperature checking at the gates also, and we are planning to give out masks and sanitizers for free to everyone who’s entering the stadium,” he added.

Rohit Sharma-led India have gained an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series with wins in Jaipur and Ranchi and will eye to affect a clean sweep on Sunday.