Australian Open officials were left scrambling on Wednesday night after an employee at a COVID-19 quarantine hotel tested positive for the virus.
Thursday’s matches at the Melbourne Summer Series and ATP Cup were immediately postponed until at least Friday.
As many as 600 players, officials and staff who may have come into contact with the hotel worker have been ordered to self-isolate.
They must also return a negative test before resuming preparations for the Australian Open, which is scheduled to begin on February 8.
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“Health authorities have advised that a Hotel Quarantine worker has tested positive for COVID-19,” Australian Open organizers tweeted via the official tournament account in the early hours of Thursday morning.
“Those associated with the AO who quarantined at the hotel now need to be tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result.
“We will work with everyone involved to facilitate testing as quickly as possible.
“There will be no matches at Melbourne Park on Thursday. An update on the schedule for Friday will be announced later today.”
Health Authorities have advised us that a Hotel Quarantine worker has tested positive for COVID-19.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 3, 2021
Those associated with the AO who quarantined at the hotel now need to be tested and isolate until they receive a negative test result.
We will work with everyone involved to facilitate testing as quickly as possible.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) February 3, 2021
There will be no matches at Melbourne Park on Thursday. An update on the schedule for Friday will be announced later today. #AusOpen
At this stage the incident is not expected to delay the start of the grand slam event at Melbourne Park.
