South African cricketers in self-isolation after aborted India tour

CAPETOWN: The South African cricket team has been asked to self-isolate for the next fourteen days after returning midway from an ODI tour of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The players arrived back in South Africa on Wednesday ten days after departing on a tour during which they played no cricket. The first of three scheduled one-day internationals was abandoned without a ball bowled because of rain and the remaining two were cancelled.

Cricket South Africa’s chief medical officer, Dr Shuaib Manjra, was quoted as saying that the players have been told to isolate themselves and will be tested for the deadly virus in case any symptoms show up.

“We have recommended the players social distance themselves from others and self-isolate for a minimum of 14 days. I think that is proper guidance to protect themselves, people around them, their families and their communities,” he was quoted as saying by the media here.

“In that period, if any of them have symptoms or any other factors that is cause for concern, we will ensure this is investigated appropriately and managed accordingly with the protocols that are in place,” he added.

Homeward bound. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/jq5JMkenoJ

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 16, 2020

During their tour, the visited or travelled through Dubai, Delhi, Dharamsala, Lucknow and Kolkata. India’s tally of COVID-19 patients has crossed 100, including three deaths.

“Some of the players wore masks while we were travelling. Others decided not to wear masks – that was up to them. We were pretty isolated during travel and largely immunised from the outside world,” said Manjra while describing the journey back.

“We have looked at the recommendations made for different countries by the World Health Organisation and other authoritative bodies. We have since educated the players about the disease – what it is, what it means, what its symptoms are,” Manjra said.

“We have educated them on how to monitor themselves about temperature and the other symptoms that come with COVID-19. Our experts remain available to them, even after the tour,” he added.

England’s tour of Sri Lanka has also been postponed as the coronavirus pandemic has virtually wiped out the global sporting calendar for the next few months.