ECB hires tech company to manage & monitor biosecurity for return of Test Cricket

Restrata, the British technology company providing smart solutions for security and safety management, has been hired by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to help deliver the world’s first bio secure Test Match series, between England and the West Indies, which began in Southampton on July 8.

The company’s software platform, originally developed to protect physical infrastructure and people from security and safety threats such as terrorism or industrial accidents, has been deployed to ensure both Test venues, the Ageas Bowl (Southampton) and Emirates Old Trafford (Manchester) cricket grounds, comply with the Government’s Covid-19 regulations on social distancing, providing a unique system to manage capacity at the venues and track and trace any coronavirus outbreaks during the series.

Restrata’s team has installed its Bluetooth technology into the two stadiums which, because of the Pandemic, are being played behind closed doors. Despite the absence of spectators, there will be at least 450 people working at each Test venue, including both teams, their support staff, the stadium staff and media who will be covering the matches.

Restrata’s track and trace solution enables the ECB to control the numbers of people working in specific zones, into which each venue has been divided, so that capacity can be controlled to meet the Government’s requirements on social distancing and capacity limits, and zone access rights. The platform will enable the ECB’s in-stadium 2 team to monitor capacity in all areas of the stadiums (24/7) so capacity limits and access rights are adhered to. The company’s Bluetooth technology will also provide the ECB with an accurate, and real time capability to track and trace any suspected outbreaks of Covid-19 within the Test match environment.

Botan Osman, CEO of Restrata, said:

I am delighted that we have been given the opportunity to help the ECB deliver this Test series. We have worked closely with the ECB’s IT and operations team over the past weeks to integrate our platform into their management systems in record time. The capability we provide is unique and meets the specific requirements of the Covid-19 environment and the Government’s regulations on social distancing and track and trace. In establishing this system, the ECB is demonstrating that technology can be employed to get sport, and major events back up and running despite the challenges presented by the Pandemic.

Damian Smith, ECB’s Head of IT, added:

Our number one priority throughout this series is people safety. Restrata‘s safety, security and mobility management platform has enabled us to deliver this Test series in the knowledge that we are managing the specific and detailed risks presented by Covid-19 and that we comply with the Government’s comprehensive guidelines for managing events of this nature, particularly those relating to Track and Trace.

Founded in 2006, Restrata has been a pioneer in smart tech solutions to help multi-nationals safeguard their people, strategic assets and physical infrastructure in some of the most challenging operating environments in the world. The company has provided technology and security design consultancy to some of the world’s biggest sports events and venues including the Nou Camp Nou in Barcelona, the London 2012 and Al Bayt Stadium in Doha, one of the venues for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™.

Main image (top), courtesy: Restrata

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