South Africa government assures secure bio-bubble environment for Team India amidst panic around new COVID-19 variant

With the discovery of the Omicron variant, India’s upcoming tour to South Africa was doubtful. However, as per the recent turn of events, the hosts’ foreign ministry has stated that a safe bio-secure environment will be provided to the visiting Indan players. The ministry also heaped praises on the BCCI for not pulling out its ‘A’ team after all the panic that was caused by the discovery of the new variant.

India’s ‘A’ team is currently in South Africa for three unofficial Test matches. Whereas the senior team is staged to play three Tests starting December 17, followed by as many ODIs and four T20 Internationals. The Indian team is expected to land in the host nation by December 9. The ministry thus lauded the BCCI for not letting the uncertainties affect the ongoing India ‘A’ tour.

The South African government appreciates BCCI for continuing the tour

“South Africa will take all precautions necessary to ensure the health and safety of the Indian teams. A full Bio-secure environment will be established around both the South African and Indian ‘A’ Teams as well as the two National Teams.

India’s decision to show solidarity by choosing to continue with the tour of the Indian ‘A’ Team stands in contrast with a number of countries who have decided to close their borders and to restrict travel from Southern African,” the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO), which is the country’s foreign ministry, stated as quoted by The Indian Express.

The first Test match between India and South Africa will be played at Johannesburg, followed by the second match at Centurion. Back in the year 1991, India became the first nation to host the Proteas team after the ICC had banned the latter nation due to the then South African government’s apartheid policy. India’s tour now marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s readmission to the international circuit.

“The tour of the Indian National Team marks the 30th anniversary of South Africa’s readmission to international cricket. The anniversary will be celebrated by a commemorative event that will take place on January 2, 2022, in Cape Town. This event will also serve to highlight the strong ties between South Africa and India, which is once again demonstrated by the tour of the two Indian teams,” the ministry statement read.