No One Can Guarantee That There Won’t Be Any Positive Cases, But We Have Protocols In Place To Handle Them – CSA Dr Shuaib Manjra On India Tour Of South Africa

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Dr Shuaib Manjra has said that he can’t guarantee that there will be no Covid-19 positive case during the India tour of South Africa 2021 but they have set protocols in place to handle the situation.

India tour of South Africa will begin on December 17. During the tour India will play three Test games, three One Day Internationals and four T20 Internationals across four venues – Johannesburg, Centurion, Paarl, and Cape Town.

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The chief medical officer of Cricket South Africa (CSA) Dr Shuaib Manjra speaking to The Indian Express said the Covid-19 cases found in South Africa have been mild in general. He said:

 “South Africa is at the beginning of the fourth wave. Statistically, the cases are growing exponentially. But the evidence so far is that the cases have been mild in general. The risk of hospitalisation, in Gauteng, is growing especially in the unvaccinated population. 75 per cent of the cases suggest that.”

Dr Shuaib Manjra has revealed that Indian players will have to undergo seven-day quarantine and only the first day will be intense quarantine. He said:

 “The Indian players will have to undergo a seven-day quarantine, majority of which (six days) would be mild. The first day will be the intense proper quarantine. Once the test results of the day come, the players can move around outdoors within the confines of the hotel complex. And train with teammates in small groups for the rest of the week.”

Hotels For The First Two Tests Will Be Dedicated To The Players – Dr Shuaib Manjra On India Tour Of South Africa

The CSA Dr Shuaib Manjra talked about the facilities for players and said that the hotel for the first two Test matches will be dedicated to players and no outsider will be allowed to enter the hotel. He asserted:

“The hotels for the first two Tests will be totally dedicated to the players. No outside guests will be staying. The players will get to move around the outdoor spaces at the hotel and won’t be confined to the rooms. The hotel in Capetown will have people other than players staying but the players’ area will be blocked and separated from the rest.”

“Of course no one can guarantee that there won’t be any positive cases. But we have protocols in place to handle them. The cricketing boards of both India and South Africa have agreed on the protocol to handle any positive cases,” the CSA medical officer said.

Shuaib Manjra further talked about how the virus enters the bubble and said:

“Firstly, among the hotel staff. Secondly, from any player carrying the virus from their respective country or travel. That’s why we have the first week of mild quarantine with frequent testing to find and isolate.”

Manjra also said that there is pressure on them to main the safety of Indian and South African players but they are ready to face the challenge and have protocols in place. He asserted:

“Of course there is huge pressure as there is a responsibility to ensure safety. This is a big tour for both countries. But I want to assure Indian players, the public, and BCCI that we are ready for the tour. We have been working on biosecure bubbles for 18 months now for various tours and we have been successful in maintaining them. All the recce and checks have been made. Protocols are in place. We are ready. ”

Meanwhile, if reports are to be believed BCCI is set to request CSA to postpone the India tour of South Africa by a week.

Also Read: IND vs NZ 2021: Cheteshwar Pujara Trains With Rahul Dravid Ahead Of Second Test, BCCI Shared Pictures Of Indoor Practice Session From Mumbai

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