Strict hygiene concept: that's how basketball wants to start

The basketball Bundesliga hopes for political permission for its championship tournament. The basis is a strict hygiene concept: contact with the family is taboo, there are no cheerleaders - and the teams themselves also have to swing the mop.

Munich (dpa) - group isolation in the hotel, no contact with the family - the hygiene concept of the basketball Bundesliga goes beyond that of German professional football.

The decision whether the BBL may continue its season with ten teams at a tournament with ghost games in June in Munich despite the coronavirus crisis is approaching. The guidelines on which the cabinet of the Bavarian state government should advise on Tuesday are decisive. The most important thing from the 42-page "Concept for special game operations for the resumption of the 2019/20 season", which is available to dpa:

BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT

Training: The ten clubs should prepare for the tournament around three weeks at home on the recommendation of the league. Those involved can stay in the private environment and must comply with strict hygiene requirements. In addition, there is a swab test for the Sars CoV-2 pathogen twice a week for players and coaches and immediately if symptoms occur. You can only start training after two negative tests or if you have antibodies.

International professionals: Many players, especially from the United States, traveled to their home country during the Corona crisis. When the professionals return, a 14-day domestic quarantine applies. The guidelines of the health authorities must be observed, the frequency of the tests can shorten a quarantine time.

DURING THE TOURNAMENT

Hotel: In contrast to football, the active players are completely sealed off from the public during the tournament and accommodated in a hotel. Contacts with the hotel staff should also be largely excluded. The wellness area is taboo. In groups of up to three people, players and coaches are allowed to leave the hotel, but only for walking or jogging. Other closed rooms and shopping are prohibited, including contact with relatives. There will be group excursions to loosen up.

Rules: Rules for private hygiene are drawn up on two pages. 17 points encompass the measures for hotel accommodation, from the single room to not touching the elevator buttons by hand to the caution when using cell phones and the Playstation of other people.

Groups of people: The so-called active zone for a game comprises up to 51 people. Each of the ten teams, including professionals, may designate a maximum of 22 people, including trainers, physios, doctors and supervisors. In addition there are a maximum of 13 referees, three league employees and a photographer. There are a maximum of 61 people in the passive zone: timekeepers and clerks, technical staff, security services and media representatives. When entering the hall, this group must disinfect their hands and wear mouth / nose protection; fever is measured. Active and passive should never meet directly. There must never be more than 18 people in the outside area, especially filers and TV employees.

Tests: Since all active participants are in group isolation, one corona test per week is considered appropriate. If the test is positive, the person is immediately isolated; there is no automatic quarantine for the entire team.

Basketball traditions: Not only the spectators are missing. There are no enemies, no mascots, no cheerleaders, no shaking hands. There are also no floor wipers that blow away the slippery sweat. This task is carried out by team members or supervisors. Mop mobs are on the player benches.

Ball: If the ball leaves a two-meter safety area around the field, it must be disinfected before it can be used again.

Media: The TV commentator may work without mouth-nose protection during his reportage. The players are interviewed via a permanently installed microphone without direct contact, the questions come through a loudspeaker or headphones.

Training: The game-free teams train in a sports hall, but should not meet. It should be showered as after the games in the hotel.

Information about the tournament on the BBL homepage