MELBOURNE – Some players preparing for the Australian Open will have to isolate themselves until they return a negative test for COVID-19 after a person working at one of the tournament’s quarantine hotels tested positive for the virus.
Daniel Andrews, Victoria’s political leader, convened a press conference late at night on Wednesday to announce the case and urged anyone with symptoms in Melbourne to be tested.
Andrews said the case could have an impact on some of the six tuning tournaments taking place this week before the Australian Open, with any players, coaches or officials who were quarantined at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne considered to be contacts. of the 26-year-old infected man and who have to isolate themselves until they have returned a negative test.
The hotel advertises that it has 550 rooms, including 25 premium suites, so it could involve hundreds of people. Following the positive case could test the resolution of players who have recently been out of quarantine for two weeks and could provide ammunition to critics of the decision to allow people to fly around the world for the Australian Open.
“It could have an effect on tomorrow’s game in the main event,” Andrews said. “At this stage, there is no impact on the tournament itself.”
The Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Monday, with up to 30,000 spectators expected daily at Melbourne Park, according to guidelines that allow for up to 50% capacity.
The organizers of the Australian Open did not immediately have details about how many players should isolate themselves.
All those arriving in Australia must be subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine in accordance with COVID-19 pandemic regulations. The Australian Open used three Melbourne hotels to keep most players in quarantine and had other safe accommodation and facilities in Adelaide, South Australia, for some of the biggest stars, including Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
The infected person gave negative results on the last day at the hotel on Friday, but later gave positive results and worked with government and health officials to track contacts.
“This is a case,” Andrews said. “We are well prepared and well trained in what we need to do.”
He said he supports the press conference and announces restrictions, which impose the mandatory use of face masks inside, “through an abundance of caution.”