Australian Open Bans Spectators As State Enters 5-Day Lockdown

Officials in Australia's state of Victoria mandated a five-day stay-at-home order to prevent the spread of the area's growing number of coronavirus infections.

But the tennis must go on.

Tennis Australia, the organizers of the Australian Open, had allowed 30,000 fans to attend matches thus far. But under the new restrictions, the stands will sit empty.

The state government said it detected 13 cases of the highly contagious U.K. variant linked to a Holiday Inn in Melbourne. Victoria Premier Dan Andrews said Friday five new cases were reported in the previous 24 hours. The government reported 19 total cases.

"It shows just how incredibly infectious this virus is. And our public health team tell us it's only getting faster," Andrews said during a press conference announcing the lockdown.

Canceling in-person attendance for one of tennis's Grand Slams highlights the difficulties facing organizers of international sporting events during a global pandemic.

Tennis Australia already faced serious backlash from Australian Open players for the 14-day quarantine required for international athletes who arrived last month.

The world's top men's singles player, Novak Djokovic wrote to Tennis Australia officials with a list of "demands," according to ESPN, which included asking to have players moved to "private houses with tennis courts." Djokovic later said his requests were "misconstrued."

The Australian Open, which is almost at the halfway point of two weeks of competition, will continue uninterrupted, according to the event's organizers. Ticket holders for matches during those days will get a full refund.

The lockdown

Under the lockdown, Victoria residents must stay at home and can only leave for essential reasons, such as grocery shopping and caring for family.

Andrews called the lockdown a necessary "circuit breaker" to stop further spread.

This is Victoria's third major lockdown. The region eradicated community spread of COVID-19 cases after a major lockdown from July through October last year.

Andrews urged Victorians to remain resolute for the next five days.

"But the most important thing you need to know is this: this is our opportunity — our brief window — to starve the virus of what it wants most. Movement," Andrews said. "By limiting our movement, we limit the potential spread of the virus. And by going hard and going early — we're giving ourselves every opportunity to get in front of this."

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