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Mike Hussey has broken his silence on being the only Australian cricketer still stranded in India as a devastating coronavirus crisis continues to plague the country.
Hussey, who earlier this week tested positive for the virus, was flown by air ambulance from Covid-stricken Delhi to Chennai to be closer to his IPL team's head office.
The former Test batsman said he was indebted to his club for looking after him as he recorded a negative test on Thursday.
He will be allowed to leave isolation when a second negative test is received.
'I am extremely conscious of what is going on in India and feel very fortunate to be so well looked after by the franchise,' Hussey told the Herald Sun.
'I am resting in isolation at the moment and will hopefully get another negative test.'
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Hussey, who is currently assistant coach of the Super Kings, was one of many at the club who contracted the virus.
The 45-year-old believes he caught it from the club's bowling coach Lakshmipathy Balaji who he was sitting next to on a flight days before several members tested positive.
He initially returned two positive tests and was forced into isolation after being flown by medi-copter to be closer to the team's headquarters.
Hussey returned a negative test on Thursday and will seek another negative test in the coming days where he will then be allowed to leave isolation.
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Australian Cricketers' Association Chief Executive Todd Greenberg spoke to reporters on Thursday about Hussey's condition, saying he was experiencing 'relatively mild symptoms'.
'He's in good spirits... his symptoms are quite mild,' Greenberg told reporters.
The legendary batsman will either look to return to Australia when the temporary pause on flights could be lifted on May 15 or he could be sent to the Maldives to link up with other Aussies who had been participating in the competition.
The IPL was suspended indefinitely on Tuesday as the number of Covid-19 cases in India swelled to 20 million, with hospitals at breaking point and 230,000 dead.
Cricket Australia announced on Thursday that a 38-strong cohort of Aussie players, coaches, commentators, umpires and support staff will now remain in the Maldives until the travel ban from India is lifted after May 15.
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HOW THE MALDIVES LOOPHOLE WORKS
Any visitor can travel to the Maldives, as long as they have proof of a negative Covid test in the 96 hours prior.
From April 27, those coming from India cannot stay at tourist facilities in heavily populated areas - but can stay in private residences.
They are also allowed to stay in resorts and hotels in secluded areas of the islands.
On arrival back in Australia after the ban is lifted on May 15, they must still enter hotel quarantine for a fortnight in Australia, as with any overseas arrivals.
Source: Visit Maldives
The organisation also said that some of the sport's biggest names, including David Warner, Pat Cummins, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis and Ricky Ponting, are not seeking exemptions to bypass travel bans from the Australian government.
They will spend at least 10 days in Maldives before quarantining for another 14 days upon returning to Australia on a charter flight organised by Indian cricket's governing body.
The 900 Australians deemed 'vulnerable' will be allowed to fly back first, with all passengers required to present two negative Covid-19 tests before boarding.
For the cricketers heading to the Maldives, they need only present a negative Covid-19 test from the last 96 hours.
Then they must wait until May 15 when the border opens with Australia, and fly home straight into hotel quarantine for 14 days.
Cricket Australia's interim chief executive Nick Hockley said on Wednesday: 'The absolute priority is to get them home safe and well.'
'We're not seeking any kind of special exemptions whatsoever.'
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