All scheduled tennis games in Melbourne on Thursday have been postponed after a hotel worker tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday.
Up to 600 players, staff and coaches are currently in isolation after being classified as close contacts.
The organizers of the various preparatory events for the Australian Open are currently planning to postpone the games for Friday and beyond.
Here’s everything we know about the situation right now.
MELBOURNE HOTEL COVID OUTBREAK – WHAT HAPPENED?
A 26-year-old man who worked as a resident support officer in the Australian Open hotel quarantine tested positive for COVID-19.
The man worked at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. He tested negative after his last shift on January 29th, but returned a positive COVID test afterwards.
As a result, the Victorian government reintroduced the mandatory mask rules and limited the number of visitors allowed in private homes.
Is the Australian Open still moving forward?
At this point, yes.
Although there is disruption to prep events, Andrews has stressed that officials have still only detected one positive COVID test.
The prime minister said Wednesday night’s swift actions are designed to stop an even bigger outbreak.
Against this background, the Australian Open will still take place on Monday.
“At this point, the actual tournament (Australian Open) has no effect,” said Andrews.
“We have a case. We will work very hard to keep the numbers as low as possible. Decisions have been made and we will carry on as we can.”
On Thursday morning Andrews added, “We all understand that there are no guarantees in any of this, but at this point the tournament shouldn’t be affected.
“These things can change.”
ARE TENNIS PLAYERS AFFECTED BY THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN MELBOURNE?
Yes.
Up to 600 players and support staff who were at the Grand Hyatt between January 16 and 29 are considered close contacts.
They must all be isolated until they return a negative COVID-19 test.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN LEAD-UP EVENTS?
All tennis was canceled for Thursday, which messed up the ATP Cup, three WTA events (Yarra Valley Classic, Gippsland Trophy and Grampians Trophy) and two other ATP events (Great Ocean Road Open and Murray River Open).
The organizers of the Australian Open confirmed the disruptions overnight.
“The health authorities have told us that an employee in the hotel quarantine has tested positive for COVID-19,” said a statement.
“Those associated with the AO who have been quarantined at the hotel must now be tested and isolated until they get a negative test result.
“We will work with everyone involved to make testing easier as soon as possible.
“There will be no games at Melbourne Park on Thursday. An update to the Friday schedule will be announced today.”
Victorian Prime Minister Dan Andrews also confirmed that up to 600 tennis-related people are affected.
“There are a number of – around 500 or 600 people – either players and officials or others who have casual contact,” Victorian Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said on Wednesday.
“They will isolate until they get a negative test. And that work will be done tomorrow (Thursday).
ARE ALL TENNIS PLAYERS RUN IN MELBOURNE?
No.
Not all players currently in Melbourne are considered close contacts.
Although the preliminary tournaments have been postponed, players who have not been ordered to quarantine will be able to train at Melbourne Park on Thursday.
WHAT NOW?
The tournament organizers will postpone the games on Thursday and have an updated schedule later today.
PREMIER DAN ANDREWS REFUSES TENNIS PLAYERS RECEIVING PREFERRED TREATMENT
With 500-600 people in isolation, Andrews had to deny that tennis players receive preferential treatment during the current outbreak.
“People are not treated differently,” he said at a press conference on Thursday morning.
“I was presented with a list of claims from various tennis players and the answer was no. I think I have really shown that they are not receiving special treatment.
“How people are classified in terms of their risk, and therefore how they respond to public health, the things they have to do are not judgments of mine, but judgments of public health experts.”
THE REACTION
There was some confusion on Wednesday evening as the first news of the tennis shutdowns surfaced on Thursday.
As usual, players posted their thoughts on social media.
Jim Courier gave a decent overview of what was happening in Melbourne.
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