The public will return to the Australian Open this Thursday to follow the competition live from the semifinals after the lockdown is lifted at midnight of five days decreed by the state of Victoria. But it will do so in a very restricted number. This was announced in a statement by Craig Tiley, president of the Tennis Federation of the oceanic country: “There will be a cap of 7,477 for each session, which is approximately 50 percent of capacity.” The initial idea was that 25,000 daily viewers would enter from the quarterfinals, but that number has been significantly reduced due to prudence given the appearance last week of several local cases of COVID positives.
“The anti-COVID measures that we had will continue, and we opened the areas (there were three separate ones depending on the ticket chosen for the event) so that everyone can access the full site and enjoy both the Grand Slam Oval and the Garden Square. We are looking forward to four amazing days of tennis and seeing everyone back at the Australian Open, “said Tiley.
Looking forward to welcoming fans attendance back to Melbourne Park tomorrow????with capped at 7,477 for each session – approximately 50% capacity.
????Masks required where physical distancing isn't possible. pic.twitter.com/7Txk0EiEJR
– #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 17, 2021
In principle, the use of a mask will be mandatory, as long as there is no possibility of maintaining social distance and when fans are in closed spaces, which will happen if it is necessary for some reason to use the retractable roof of the Rod Laver Arena.