Orlando Sentinel · Feb 12, 2021
No crowds, but Australian Open will continue during COVID-19 lockdown
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA — The Australian Open will be allowed to continue but without crowds for at least five days after the Victoria state government imposed a lockdown starting Saturday in response to a COVID-19 outbreak at a quarantine hotel.
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews on Friday announced a five-day, statewide lockdown starting a minute before midnight local time, imposing new restrictions that restrict residents to their homes except for work, to shop for essential supplies, care or caregiving, and limited exercise.
“The minimum number of staff for it to be run safely, will be there,” Andrews said. “It will be happening, but there’ll be no one there watching it.”