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'We have made full arrangements so that the South African players return home safe.'
The Quinton de Kock-led South African team on Monday checked into a city hotel near the airport in Kolkata as Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) took all precautions for their safe return home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
After their three-match ODI series was called off due to the virus outbreak, the South African players and the support staff stayed put in Lucknow where the second match was slated.
They had the option to fly out from Delhi but they preferred Kolkata as the Eastern metropolis was yet to record a single positive case for coronavirus.
"We have made full arrangements so that the South African players return home safe. We have a three-member medical team looking into their arrangements. We are taking adequate precautions," medical committee chairman Pradip Dey said.
Maintaining social distancing, the team was received at the airport by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Avishek Dalmiya, secretary Snehasish Ganguly and joint-secretary Debabrata Das.
"Everything is fine. Their rooms are all sanitised. Our liaison manager, medical team are also there in two rooms. They are all equipped with special masks, sanitiser. We have spoken to the players, they are fine," Avishek said.
The visiting team is flying out to their respective destinations in South Africa on Tuesday morning via Dubai.
The first ODI in Dharamsala on Thursday was washed out without a ball being bowled.
Later, the BCCI called off the remainder of the series saying they would work out with Cricket South Africa to reschedule the ODI rubber.
The BCCI was also forced to postpone the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League 2020 for two weeks till April 15.
The coronavirus outbreak, which originated in Wuhan, China, has claimed over 6,000 lives and has infected close to 160,000 people world over.