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IPL 2021 to go ahead with restrictions, confirms Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Malik

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 4/6/2021 10:53:19 AM

Mumbai, Apr 5 Indian Premier League 2021 matches in Mumbai will go ahead as planned despite the rising cases of COVID-19 in the city, cabinet minister Nawab Malik confirmed on Monday. 10 matches will be played at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai during the first leg of IPL 2021. Fans won't be allowed inside the stadium and only relays can be done, the minister added. Players and others involved in the tournament will be required to isolate themselves at the same place. Notably, IPL had to be shifted abroad to the United Arab Emirates last year due to the coronavirus- forced lockdown in India in March. The tournament was played across 3 cities - Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi - without fans in a bio-secure environment. The Maharashtra government announced new restrictions, including a weekend lockdown and a night curfew in the state. The new set of strict guidelines will come into effect from 8 pm on Monday and are likely to be in place till April 30. Night curfew will be imposed in the state from 8 pm to 7 am from Monday. The state will also go for a complete weekend lockdown from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday. Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik said prohibitory orders issued under Section 144 will be in force throughout the day. All shops, except those providing essential services, will remain closed in Mumbai and across other cities in the state. The decision to shut shops in Mumbai comes on a day the city recorded 11,163 new Covid-19 cases