‘Closed loop’ in works for Hong Kong Open, with badminton chiefs keen to bring tournament back in November
- Badminton World Tour Super 500 event has been cancelled for last two years during the pandemic
- Organisers planning hotel bubble for 500 people including overseas players and local staff members
Badminton chiefs are planning to set up a “closed loop” system for 500 people as they look to bring the Hong Kong Open back following two years of cancellations during the pandemic.
A safety plan for the event, which is being targeted for November and would include overseas players and local staff, has been submitted to authorities for approval, with preparations to begin if organisers are given the go-ahead.
The proposal is similar to that submitted by the Hong Kong Rugby Union for the city’s flagship sporting event, the Hong Kong Sevens, which is also being targeted for a long-awaited return in November.
“Under the current requirements, overseas visitors will be required to go through a seven-day hotel quarantine ahead of the event which we think no players will be willing to do that, especially after most of the Western countries have already reopened with no travel restrictions,” Badminton Association chairman Tong Wai-lun said.
“What we can do is to set up a safety bubble to accommodate all these overseas players so that they do not need the quarantine. Of course, we have to do this for local staff members who are involved in the tournament.
“We know these safety measures will incur large financial implication but we have missed the tournament for the last two years because of the pandemic and are eager to bring it back this time to treat our fans to top-class badminton.”