By Erik Gudris
Crowds will not be allowed on site at the Australian Open, though matches will continue,as Melbourne enters a hard lockdown to stop a variant Covid-19 cluster.
"The players only and their direct support teams as well as those staff members unable to do their work from home [will be allowed on site]," Australian Open CEO Craig Tiley said. "There will be no fans."
The Victorian government announced that the lockdown would begin on Friday at 11:59 p.m.
Watch: Fan Flips Off Nadal, Rafa Reacts
Residents will only be allowed to travel for only essential needs, including traveling to work, food shopping, caregiving, and limited exercise.
The Australian Open will carry on as a workplace, not an entertainment venue,
However, spectators will not be allowed on site after today’s matches. Tournament director Craig Tiley alerted players by email about the government announcement. He advised the players that they will be restricted to their hotel rooms and Melbourne Park.
The lockdown is in response to an outbreak of the UK variant of the virus at a Holiday Inn near Melbourne airport that hosts quarantined guests. If things go well with the lockdown, the strict measures could be lifted in time for fans to return for the women’s semifinals and one of the men’s semifinals next Thursday.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve