Tennis fans will be banned from participating in the Australian Open while the state of Victoria is preparing for a five-day block in response to new cases of COVID-19.
Why it matters: The blockade comes after an outbreak at a Holiday Inn near Melbourne airport that was being used to host returning travelers.
Driving the news: The cluster of cases linked to the hotel grew to 13 on Thursday night, with the emergence of five new cases, by AP.
- As of Friday morning, the state’s active case count was 19.
Where is it: Life was almost back to normal in Victoria, with bars packed with customers without a mask. But now, more than 6 million Victorians will only be able to leave home for shopping, work, exercise and essential care.
- Schools will be closed from Monday to Wednesday, meetings are prohibited and masks will be required everywhere.
Yes but: Tennis players are classified as “workers” and will be allowed to continue their matches. The minimum number of employees required to hold the event safely will also be present, while everyone else will be invited to work remotely.
The backdrop: The Australian Open hoped to receive nearly 400,000 fans and avoid a “bubble” by placing players in “hard quarantine” after their arrival.
- Tennis Australia faced a reaction for that, but the strategy has worked so far, with players expressing gratitude for the opportunity to play for the fans.
- Now, the tournament continues without spectators, as does the September US Open in New York.
In court, Australian Nick Kyrgios almost defeated number 3 Dominic Thiem in front of an electric crowd that went into blockade shortly after the fight ended (around 7 am GMT) – and he knew they wouldn’t be back for at least five days.
- The match was five sets and it was as exciting as possible, with many unfair serves from Kyrgios and a ton of courage from Thiem.
- Serena Williams advanced to the fourth round, where she will face 8th position, Aryna Sabalenka, for the first time.