India’s head coach Ravi Shastri, along with bowling and fielding coaches Bharath Arun and R Sridhar, respectively, would need to undergo a “fit to fly” test post recovery from COVID-19, which led to the cancellation of the fifth Test against England in Manchester last week. The trio have completed a 10-day isolation as per the UK Health Protocols but, to return home, they also need to pass a “fit to fly” test, apart from negative RT-PCR reports.
“Shastri, Arun and Sridhar are all doing well physically having recovered from COVID-19. They are out of isolation.
“However, as per health protocols they need to have a CT score of 38 plus which will ensure a fit to fly certificate for them. We expect them to fly out in next two days if all goes well with CT score,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on the condition of anonymity.
The CT (CT scan) score tells about the presence of viral load in a COVID-19 affected person and how much his lungs have been infected.
A higher CT score indicates recovery and it is believed that to take long flights, one needs to have a CT score of 40.
None of the three Indian coaches currently have any symptoms and are completely fit but can only avail the return flight once they get the certificate. Shastri tested positive on the third day of the fourth Test at Oval and Arun and Sridhar, deemed as close contacts, had to be isolated. The duo also later tested positive and all of them finished their 10-day isolation on Wednesday.
