COVID-19 outbreak in Melbourne threatens Australian Open — What we know

All of Thursday’s scheduled tennis matches in Melbourne have been postponed after a lodge employee examined optimistic for COVID-19 on Wednesday. 

Up to 600 gamers, employees and coaches are at present in isolation after being deemed shut contacts.

Organisers for the varied Australian Open lead-up occasions are at present planning to reschedule matches for Friday and onwards. 

Here’s every part we at present know in regards to the state of affairs.

MELBOURNE HOTEL COVID OUTBREAK — WHAT HAPPENED? 

A 26-year-old man who was working as a resident help officer in the Australian Open lodge quarantine has examined optimistic for COVID-19.

The man was working on the Grand Hyatt Hotel. He examined detrimental after his final shift on January 29, however has subsequently returned a optimistic COVID take a look at. 

As a outcome, the Victorian authorities has reintroduced necessary masks guidelines and have restricted the variety of guests permitted in houses. 

IS THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN STILL GOING AHEAD? 

At this stage, sure. 

Although there are disruptions to the lead-up occasions, Andrews has harassed officers have nonetheless solely found one optimistic COVID take a look at. 

The Premier mentioned the swift actions on Wednesday night time are designed to cease an excellent greater outbreak. 

With that in thoughts, the Australian Open remains to be going forward on Monday. 

“At this stage, there’s no impact to the tournament (Australian Open) proper,” Andrews mentioned. 

“We’ve got one case. We’re going to work very hard to keep numbers as low as we possibly can. Decisions have been made, and we’ll proceed as we can.”

On Thursday morning, Andrews added: “We all perceive that there’s no ensures in any of this, however at this stage, the match shouldn’t be impacted by this.

“These issues can change.“

ARE TENNIS PLAYERS IMPACTED BY THE COVID-19 OUTBREAK IN MELBOURNE? 

Yes. 

Up to 600 gamers and help employees who had been staying on the Grand Hyatt between January 16-29 have been deemed shut contacts.

They all should go into isolation till they return a detrimental COVID-19 take a look at. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN LEAD-UP EVENTS? 

All tennis has been cancelled for Thursday, throwing the ATP Cup, three WTA occasions (Yarra Valley Classic, Gippsland Trophy and Grampians Trophy) and two different ATP occasions (Great Ocean Road Open and Murray River Open) into disarray. 

Australian Open organisers confirmed the disruptions in a single day. 

“Health Authorities have advised us that a Hotel Quarantine worker has tested positive for COVID-19,” a press release mentioned.    

“Those associated with the AO who quarantined at the hotel now need to be tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result.

“We will work with everybody concerned to facilitate testing as rapidly as attainable.  

“There will be no matches at Melbourne Park on Thursday. An update on the schedule for Friday will be announced later today.”

Victorian Premier Dan Andrews additionally confirmed as much as 600 folks linked to the tennis have been impacted. 

“There’s a number of — about 500 or 600 people — that are either players and officials and others who are casual contacts,” Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews mentioned on Wednesday.

“They will be isolating until they get a negative test. And that work will be done tomorrow (Thursday).

ARE ALL TENNIS PLAYERS IN MELBOURNE IMPACTED? 

No. 

Not all players currently in Melbourne have been deemed close contacts.

Although lead-up tournaments have been postponed, players who haven’t been ordered to quarantine are free to practice at Melbourne Park on Thursday. 

WHAT NOW? 

Tournament organisers will reschedule Thursday’s matches and have an updated plan later today. 

PREMIER DAN ANDREWS DENIED TENNIS PLAYERS ARE RECEIVING PREFERENTIAL TREATMENT

With 500-600 folks in isolation, Andrews was pressured to disclaim that tennis gamers are receiving preferential remedy throughout the present outbreak. 

“People are being treated no differently,” he said at a press conference on Thursday morning. 

“I was presented a list of demands from various tennis players and the answer was no. I think I’ve well and truly demonstrated they don’t get special treatment.

“People’s classification as to their risk and therefore the public health response, the stuff they have to do, they’re not judgements made by me, they’re judgements made by public health experts.”

THE REACTION 

There was some confusion on Wednesday night time when information first broke about Thursday’s tennis shut downs. 

As common, social media was the place gamers printed their ideas. 

Jim Courier gave a good breakdown about what was occurring in Melbourne. 

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