The 3-match Test series between India and South Africa will start on 26 December 2021. The first test match is to be played at Centurion’s ground. It is noteworthy that in view of the dangers of infection of Omicron, South Africa’s Cricket Board ‘Cricket South Africa’ (CSA) has decided that if any member of the teams is found to be COVID-19 positive during the series, then that Players or support staff will be quarantined, but the Test series will go ahead as per the schedule.
CSA medical officer Shuaib Manjra told a news agency that if the player or team member is infected with corona, then only he will be quarantined, not the people who came in contact. The second match of this series will be played in Johannesburg (Johannesburg South Africa vs India Test Match, 2022) from January 3 to January 7.
CSA Medical Officer Shuaib Manjra said that the COVID test has been done for all the players and sports staff participating in the series. And, even during the entire series, everyone’s tests will be done every 3 days. Apart from this, medical staff will also be present in Biobubble, who will keep an eye on the situation.
If anyone is found to be COVID positive
If a team member is found to be COVID positive before entering the bio-bubble, he/she will be excluded from the biobubble until his/her report is negative. And if any team member present in Bio-Bubble is found to be Covid positive, that member will be quarantined inside the hotel itself. And, if needed, they will be admitted to a safe hospital in view of the circumstances. But, the matches of the series will proceed according to the scheduled dates. All the members of the teams will be tested every 7 days.
Bio-Bubble is extremely safe
Medical officer Shuaib Manjra said that, according to scientists, South Africa has passed the peak epidemic of the fourth wave. The rate of infection has decreased very rapidly. Especially in places where the first two Test matches of this latest series are to be played. He said that in view of all this, a very safe bio-bubble has been prepared for the teams. Team India is placed in a completely different bio-bubble.
All the Biobubble employees have been tested before Team India reaches South Africa. And, a week before the team landed, all the staff were isolated at the hotel. The medical officer of CSA said that a very safe bio-bubble has been created for the team.
Indian team will return from this plane when the border is sealed
Shuaib Manjra, Medical Officer of ‘Cricket South Africa’ (CSA), said that if the infection of ‘Omicron Virus’ increases and in view of the dangers, there was a lockdown and the matter of sealing the border came to the fore, then Team India would be given a chartered plane. Arrangements will be made to send them home. But, such apprehension is not expected.
– Vinay Kumar