Australian (Open) Tennis and COVID-19

[Pushka]

When we arrived tonight you had to have a mask on until you get in your seats but no SD in the line up whatsoever. Crowd are packed in like sardines with very few spare seats. Even the corporate area where we are is packed and politicians are sitting inches apart.
It just reflects what I see daily in Adelaide and many cant be bothered with QR code’s anymore either

Wow. And this is why people don't bother with QR codes because when it suits, the rules get ignored by those who are supposed to be leading us.

 

[jase05]

SIL just sent me a photo of my nephew with Novak now. Big day for the little fella

 

[Lynda2475]

When we arrived tonight you had to have a mask on until you get in your seats but no SD in the line up whatsoever. Crowd are packed in like sardines with very few spare seats. Even the corporate area where we are is packed and politicians are sitting inches apart.
It just reflects what I see daily in Adelaide and many cant be bothered with QR code’s anymore either

Such a contrast to how events are run in Sydney. I went to a show last Sunday at Opera House Drama theatre. You had to be masked to join the queue to enter the building, and physical distance in your party in that queue, covid Marshall's enforcing and had masks ifnyou didnt. You had to QR check in then each person show the marshall the check in on their phone, before your bag got scanned and allowed in to foyer. Touchless Hand sanitiser stations every few meters.

At bar area, tables were distanced, you were not allowed to eat ot drink unless you were seated and again it was enforced. Inside the theatre, there was an empty seat left between every single party, and masks stayed on. At end had to stay in seat until your row was told it was ok to leave, one row and party at a time, so no one was climbing over/past another party. Ushered out onto terrace, so exited via outdoor stairs, not walking through the building and past other theatres etc.

 

[Pushka]

At bar area, tables were distanced, you were not allowed to eat ot drink unless you were seated and again it was enforced. Inside the theatre, there was an empty seat left between every single party, and masks stayed on. At end had to stay in seat until your row was told it was ok to leave, one row and party at a time, so no one was climbing over/past another party. Ushered out onto terrace, so exited via outdoor stairs, not walking through the building and past other theatres etc.

Oh don't worry. It is like that here in SA for such activities except the Tennis seems to be running by its own rules. And that is why people just want to give up in frustration when the rules are dismissed for high profile activities and enforced in other situations.

 

[jase05]

Oh don't worry. It is like that here in SA for such activities except the Tennis seems to be running by its own rules. And that is why people just want to give up in frustration when the rules are dismissed for high profile activities and enforced in other situations.

Where are they enforced?
Most restaurants I attend are packed and hardly a mask to see anywhere in Adelaide even at busy shopping centres. No masks or SD on packed public transport, no masks in hospitals or medical centres. At work even we have done away with SD

 

[Must...Fly!]

Where are they enforced?
Most restaurants I attend are packed and hardly a mask to see anywhere in Adelaide even at busy shopping centres. No masks or SD on packed public transport, no masks in hospitals or medical centres. At work even we have done away with SD

WA is making their app check in mandatory in more places from Feb 12.

They seem to be doing well in that regard.

 

[Pushka]

Where are they enforced?
Most restaurants I attend are packed and hardly a mask to see anywhere in Adelaide even at busy shopping centres. No masks or SD on packed public transport, no masks in hospitals or medical centres. At work even we have done away with SD

Masks aren't mandatory on buses anymore so they can't be enforced there. And always exempt from spacing rules. They are only used now in hospitals when there is a medical need so again, nothing to enforce. The spacing in restaurants is determined by the 2 sq m so numbers of patrons is determined by building size. Same with shops and stores are limited by the number of shoppers inside. I've seen people being asked to wait outside and extra busy ones like Harbourtown have a security person outside. Yesterday at a bottle shop I was asked to show my QR check in. He was saying he asked one older woman to leave earlier and not return as she refused to do so.

SD - my experience is that maybe 90% are doing the right thing and certainly go out of their way to avoid others even in shopping centres. Market less so but still not enough to complain about. Nightclubs aren't allowed to function I believe?

At a children's show a couple of weeks ago, the kids weren't allowed to laugh or sing along. They were allowed to hum . Parents had to be masked up and I saw the queue outside the market and SD was enforced and everyone had to show the QR code on their phone. I believe that in theatres everyone has to wear a mask when the shows are reasonably full. Same with performances.

 

[jb747]

...... And that is why people just want to give up in frustration when the rules are dismissed for high profile activities and enforced in other situations.

Pretty much sums up the entire Victorian approach. Go ahead with high risk activities, but shut down the regions, when they had zero CV cases.
Basically, it says that some businesses are worth saving (the tennis mob), whilst others (anything in the regions) isn't. Yep, makes you have faith in politicians.

 

[RooFlyer]

Pretty much sums up the entire Victorian approach. Go ahead with high risk activities, but shut down the regions, when they had zero CV cases.
Basically, it says that some businesses are worth saving (the tennis mob), whilst others (anything in the regions) isn't. Yep, makes you have faith in politicians.

Could there be a correlation there with city/urban vs country, and, ummm.... who the sitting member might be? Surely no, never!! Post second wave recovery: Bread and circuses for the urban masses but "hey, we're TOUGH" out in the country.

 

[jase05]

Nightclubs aren't allowed to function I believe?

We went for a few drinks after the tennis and Hindley Street was absolutely packed. Huge lineups for nightclubs and they were packed inside

 

[Pushka]

We went for a few drinks after the tennis and Hindley Street was absolutely packed. Huge lineups for nightclubs and they were packed inside

You can see I don't do Hindley Street. So what is the AHA complaining about all the time then?

 

[jase05]

You can see I don't do Hindley Street. So what is the AHA complaining about all the time then?

No dancing still and I think they want capacity increased. Last night maybe it was a flow on effect from the tennis but I haven’t seen it that busy for a long time. The nightclub next to our hotel kept us up to around 3am which isn’t ideal when I had to get up for work at 5am

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Pretty much sums up the entire Victorian approach. Go ahead with high risk activities, but shut down the regions, when they had zero CV cases.
Basically, it says that some businesses are worth saving (the tennis mob), whilst others (anything in the regions) isn't. Yep, makes you have faith in politicians.

Just to be clear tennis itself is a low covid risk activity.....1 or 2 players for each side.

 

[Pushka]

Just to be clear tennis itself is a low covid risk activity.....1 or 2 players for each side.

Sure. But yesterday those one or two players were hugging multiple stranger people on the streets of Adelaide and taking selfies. What could possibly go wrong. I thought they'd still have to be in some kind of bubble like the footballers were?

 

[jase05]

Sure. But yesterday those one or two players were hugging multiple stranger people on the streets of Adelaide and taking selfies. What could possibly go wrong. I thought they'd still have to be in some kind of bubble like the footballers were?

Nope, they are no longer in a bubble and have been “released” into the general public. Serena was at the zoo and dining out in town and Rafa was spotted down at the Glenelg. A couple of players are doing some Barossa wine tours and sightseeing before heading to Melbourne.
The bubble for other sports was a requirement because they played and moved across multiple states, the tennis players are in SA then Victoria only

 

[Pushka]

Nope, they are no longer in a bubble and have been “released” into the general public. Serena was at the zoo and dining out in town and Rafa was spotted down at the Glenelg. A couple of players are doing some Barossa wine tours and sightseeing before heading to Melbourne.
The bubble for other sports was a requirement because they played and moved across multiple states, the tennis players are in SA then Victoria only

They must feel like they are in paradise with the freedom them. And safe. Shame it's coolish. Still the hugging of strangers and stuff does send the wrong message.

 

[HappyFlyerFamily]

Victorian Sports Minister Martin Pakula has revealed crowd capacity for the Australian Open​

He announced that the crowd capacity over the first eight days would be 30,000 per day.

And for the final six days capacity would be at 25,000 per day — that's 12,500 for the day session, and 12,500 for the night session.

"That means Rod Laver Arena will have an incredible atmosphere," Mr Pakula said.

"That's a testament to the work Victorians have done to get our [coronavirus] numbers to zero."

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said the event would send a signal to the world that "Melbourne was the world's capital or sport and entertainment".

He said there would be "no compromise" on health and safety.

Melbourne Arena will be renamed John Cain Arena after the former Victorian Premier.

And a new show court arena being built for the 2022 event will seat 5,000 people.

...from abc covid blog

 

[dajop]

... Melbourne Arena will be renamed John Cain Arena after the former Victorian Premier ..

Maybe the blog/Minister should say
..... has been renamed John Cain Arena ....

already was a few weeks ago when I went past ...

 

[SydneySwan]

What do the SA residents now think about the $40m fee paid by SA Govt to TA to get a few sets of tennis in Adelaide. Worth it?

 

[jase05]

What do the SA residents now think about the $40m fee paid by SA Govt to TA to get a few sets of tennis in Adelaide. Worth it?

Absolutely worth it IMO.
We held a quality event and received some really good PR with the players actually becoming emotional when speaking about the event. We also picked up a WTA event after the AO finishes so hopefully that is well attended and supported also