Australian Open plunges into chaos as hundreds of players, staff isolate after Covid-19 case at hotel

A worker at the Melbourne hotel where the guests were staying tested positive for Covid-19

The premier of Victoria state said the 600 people were considered casual contacts and would isolate until they got a negative test

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The Grand Hyatt hotel hosts tennis players and officials of the Australia Open. Photo: AFP

Published: 10:23pm, 3 Feb 2021Updated: 9:51am, 4 Feb 2021

The Australian Open was again thrown into chaos Wednesday when up to 600 players and officials were told to isolate and get tested after a worker at a hotel they are staying in became infected with Covid-19.

Victorian state Premier Daniel Andrews said the man last worked at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne on January 29 and anyone there was considered a casual contact.

More than 1,000 players, coaches and officials jetted into largely virus-free Australia last month for 14 days’ lockdown ahead of the opening Grand Slam of the year.

Aggressive restrictions on incoming travel have helped keep the coronavirus at bay in Australia. Photo: AFP

The Grand Hyatt was one of the designated hotels used.

“There is a number of about 500, 600 people who are players and officials and others who are casual contacts,” Andrews said in a late-night press conference. “They will be isolating until they get a negative test and that work will be done tomorrow.”

But with test results generally returned within 24 hours, he said he did not expect the precautionary move to impact the Australian Open, which is expected to start on Monday.