Fans set to return to Australian Open as lockdown lifted in Melbourne
AUSTRALIAN Open fans are set to return to Melbourne Park from Thursday after the Victorian government confirmed the lifting of restrictions following a five-day lockdown amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Organizers said that 7,447 fans will be allowed in for each session on the final four days starting with the first three singles semi-finals in Melbourne on Thursday.
Record-chasing Serena Williams is set to face threetime grand slam champion Naomi Osaka, Jennifer Brady plays Karolina Muchova, and eight-time champion Novak Djokovic meets Russian qualifier Aslan Karatsev.
“We are looking forward to welcoming fans back to the Australian Open for the next four days and to finishing the event safely and on a high,” tournament director Craig Tiley said.
“Last week we had our first real experience of live sport with fans in the stands and the atmosphere was electric. The players appreciated the opportunity to compete in front of crowds for the first time in almost a year, and many spoke about how emotional it was to connect with fans again.” “We are all looking forward to an incredible four days of tennis and can’t wait to see everyone back at the AO.”
Djokovic was on court when the lockdown came into effect last Friday, with fans having to leave mid-match for the fiveday “circuit-breaker” designed to control an outbreak of the British coronavirus strain.
Part of the third round, the fourth round and quarter-finals of singles action were played behind closed doors after a series of outbreaks in Victoria.
The state has recorded 12 more active cases since the lockdown was implemented but, with none discovered in the past 24 hours, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced restrictions will be eased.
“I’m very, very pleased to announce that the restrictions will come off, almost all of them, at midnight tonight,” Andrews told reporters on Wednesday.
“From 11:59pm Wednesday
local time , the restrictions will be dropped but masks will be required indoors and outdoors when you can’t socially distance.” The stage-four restrictions meant residents could not leave their homes for any other reason than work, shopping for groceries, exercise or the giving or receiving of medial care.
This year’s delayed Australian Open has had crowds capped at 30,000 per day with original COVID-19 restrictions until the lockdown. The 7,447 fans now allowed in make up around half the capacity of centre court.
Tuesday there were no new cases reported.