Strict Australian Open quarantine regulations announced and those who flout rules face heavy fines

Australian Open
Australian Open Melbourne Park general

Two negative tests before being allowed to train, daily COVID-19 tests thereafter and a fine of up to A$20,000 for breaking rules are just some of the measures in place for the 2021 Australian Open quarantine period.

This year’s season-opening Grand Slam at Melbourne Park has been pushed back from its initial January 18-31 slot to February 8-21 to allow players to undergo 14 days of quarantine upon arrival in Australia.

However, players and their entourages won’t be able to completely relax once they return a negative test as they will face “strict rules”, according to Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville.

“We have put in place the strongest, the strictest rules that apply for tennis across the world,” she said.

“I mean, there are bubbles that are operating in Doha at the moment, but this is the strictest program in the world in terms of hotel quarantine for our tennis players.”

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About 15 charter flights carrying roughly 1,200 players, officials and support staff will start arriving in Melbourne from Thursday.

Players will be tested before they board flights to Australia and once they arrive they will head to three different hotels where they will stay for the two weeks.

Those who test negative on two days after they have started their quarantine will then be allowed to start training along with one support staff and other players in their quarantine bubble. However, they will still be required to take daily COVID-19 tests after that.

When not attending training, players must stay in their hotel rooms and those who break the rules could be fined up to A$20,000 (about £11,300).

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