The Australian Open has been dealt a serious blow after a second abroad constitution flight to Melbourne recorded a constructive COVID-19 case leaving near 50 gamers unable to coach for 2 weeks.
A passenger on-board a constitution flight carrying gamers and individuals yesterday examined constructive to the virus after arrived in Melbourne at 8.20am on January 15 from Abu Dhabi.
The passenger isn’t a participant and has been transferred to a well being resort to undertake a 14-day quarantine interval. The passenger examined unfavourable to their pre-departure take a look at.
Australia Open Match Director, Craig Tiley, mentioned measures have been being taken to make sure the wellbeing of the gamers forward of the match.
“We’re speaking with everybody on this flight, and significantly the enjoying group whose circumstances have now change to make sure their want are being catered to as a lot as doable, and that they’re absolutely appraised of the scenario,” Mr Tiley mentioned in an announcement.
It is the third constructive case discovered throughout two constitution flights of individuals and gamers arriving in Australia for the Australian Open.
Whereas there had been rumours on-line of a constructive coronavirus take a look at from a passenger on an Australian Open constitution flight into Adelaide, authorities clarified in an announcement late into the night time that this wasn’t the case.
“SA Well being has confirmed that there isn’t a one who has an energetic COVID-19 an infection in your complete tennis cohort based mostly in Adelaide,” the Australian Open mentioned on Twitter. “Testing will proceed each day.”
In its second assertion for the night time, Australian Open organisers confirmed that 23 of the passengers on-board the second affected flight have been gamers.
It means a complete of 47 gamers are actually unable to coach forward of the match because the strict quarantine measures are enforced.
Earlier within the day a flight from the US with 24 gamers on-board had two individuals take a look at constructive to COVID-19 after arrival into Melbourne. Neither have been gamers and each had examined unfavourable of their pre-departure assessments.
A spokesperson for COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria mentioned all remaining 63 passengers on the flight from Abu Dhabi should additionally undertake two weeks in quarantine and can be unable to coach.
“All remaining 63 passengers on the flight have been designated shut contacts. Gamers and help individuals can be unable to entry coaching and should undertake a normal 14-day quarantine interval.
“Gamers are being supported to entry tools for his or her resort rooms to assist them keep their health throughout this time.
“There aren’t any different recognized constructive assessments from this flight, however routine testing will proceed for passengers.
“Earlier than any individual can exit quarantine after 14 days, they have to be first medically cleared by public well being specialists.”
All the passengers are already in quarantine resorts and the constructive case is in a specially-designed “well being resort” for constructive circumstances.
In an e-mail to gamers, which has since been shared on-line, well being authorities assured gamers that they’re doing every little thing they will to “mitigate the impression” of being compelled to spend 14 days in a resort room previous to a match.
“We’re conscious of the key impression this has in your preparation for the Australian summer time,” the e-mail reads.
“And are going to do every little thing we are able to to mitigate this impression. Our total staff is mobilised and right here to help you.
“We’ll do every little thing that we are able to to get you thru this.”