The next "stress test of the COVID-safe protocols for the Australian Open will occur this weekend when the superstars of tennis hit the courts." Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were "among those to arrive in Australia early on Friday morning to begin" two weeks of hotel quarantine. But while other entrants to Australia are "required to remain in their hotel for the duration of their quarantine, players will be allowed a five-hour window" daily to practice. This daily window for players is the "biggest threat to the tournaments with the potential for a breach." More than 1,200 players and coaches over the past 48 hours were "part of the great Australian Open airlift" for the '21 edition, with planes "ferrying competitors across the world" at a 25% capacity (THE AUSTRALIAN, 1/15).
Australian Open prep comes as the state government "continues to stand firm on its policy of preventing Victorians in COVID 'red zones' of Sydney and Brisbane from returning home." Criticism from the "state opposition, stranded families and the head of the nation's largest airline came as a leading infectious diseases expert said Australia's public health effort could 'do without' the Open." State Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said, "For (Victoria Premier) Daniel Andrews to prioritise bringing tennis players from COVID hotspot countries to Australia rather than bringing home Victorians who are stuck interstate, it's worse than a double fault. It's a double standard" (THE AGE, 1/15).
