47 players forced to quarantine after COVID-19 cases on Australian Open flights

MELBOURNE: As many as 47 players have been have been asked to undergo two-week mandatory hotel quarantine here after three coronavirus positive cases were reported on two chartered flights carrying the players to the Australian Open tennis tournament, the year's first grand slam event.

A total of 24 players who arrived from Los Angeles have been sent to strict hotel quarantine after an aircraft crew member and a non-playing participant of the tournament tested positive for the virus.

Another non-player passenger on a flight from Abu Dhabi tested positive, prompting the Australian Open organisers to send 23 more players into hotel quarantine.

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The three who tested positive have been transferred to a health hotel, an organising body statement said.

During the quarantine period, the players would not be able to leave their hotel rooms until they are medically cleared. They will also have to skip their practice drills, the statement added.

The quarantine and lack of practice will translate into lack of preparation for the 47 participants.

Australia will accept about 1,200 players, technical officials and staff on 15 flights for the major sporting event next month.