What the latest outbreak means for Aus Open crowds

Another coronavirus outbreak is threatening crowd plans for the Australian Open, which is due to kick off on Monday.

The Australian Open is still set to go ahead on February 8. Picture: David Gray/AFP.

The Australian Open could be played with no spectators in attendance if Victoria suffers a third wave of coronavirus lockdown.

As health officials rush to contain a COVID-19 outbreak linked to an Australian Open hotel

quarantine worker, the Melbourne Grand Slam is expected to go ahead with fans in the stands on Monday.

But contingency plans have been drawn up that could see the event go on without crowds if there is a spike in community transmission.

Australian Open chief operating officer Tom Larner told the Herald Sun a sliding scale of restrictions would apply at Melbourne Park if a new coronavirus cluster grew in Victoria.

“We do have basically a contingency plan which takes into account no community transmission, limited community transmission, significant community transmission,’’ he said. “And then moving towards a plan where we would have to operate within a closed environment with no fans.

People associated with the Australian Open are seen lining up at a testing facility at the View Melbourne Hotel. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images.

“Under each of those different scenarios, without going into the detail of them, there will be requirements for players to have tests as part of that.’’

Australian Open director Craig Tiley on Thursday confirmed fans would have to wear masks at indoor areas of the precinct, though it was still unclear if they would have to be worn under closed stadium roofs.

Further crowd number restrictions were unlikely and the two week tournament was expected to go ahead from February 8-21 as planned, even if a player tested positive to the virus.

About 507 tennis players and support who quarantined at the Grand Hyatt were ordered to be tested on Thursday and isolate until they received results.

Before Wednesday night’s positive result, players who had completed 14 days quarantine were only required to be tested if they showed COVID-19 symptoms.

But the testing regime could now change.

And if there were high community transmission numbers Mr Larner said consideration would be given to playing the event without fans, though no trigger point had been decided.

“That is something we would have to work with DHHS and the government

in relation to their position,’’ he said.

Tennis players at training. Picture: David Gray/AFP.

“There is not a set number but obviously we know that in environments

where we did have some community transmission we were still able to

have major events both in Victoria and NSW.

“We would work with DHHS on exactly that but we are not

expecting that.’’

Mr Tiley said all fans should bring a face mask to the Open.

“When you go inside, you put on a mask … our team, our staff and our fans will be wearing a mask indoors,’’ he said.

“As it relates to the indoor facility and when the roof closes … we will assess that point with DHHS.”

Premier Daniel Andrews said “there were no guarantees’’ but “the tennis shouldn’t be impacted’’ by the quarantine worker testing positive.

Former US tennis ace Jim Courier, who quarantined at the Grand Hyatt, said the situation was “of real concern’’.

“I think we all thought that we were past the risk zone, but that has reopened that zone for us,’’ he told US TV.

“The next 24 hours are going to be really important for all of us who stayed at the Hyatt go and get tested.

“It is certainly worrisome and we will hope for the best.”

Players have been advised to avoid high fiving and wear masks off-court.

Six lead-up events featuring the likes of Aussies Ash Barty and Nick Kyrgios suspended on Thursday as players and their entourages were tested are expected to resume at Melbourne Park on Friday.

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