Legal challenge threatens Australian Open plans

Four hotels will serve as quarantine bases for non-symptomatic players and their entourages for the mandatory 14-day period before being cleared to take part in the tournament next month.But a legal challenge from high-profile residents of the Westin Hotel has been flagged amid anger over a lack of consultation to use the hotel as a quarantine base.A COVID-19 Quarantine Victoria spokesperson said staff would begin setting up operations at the hotel this week.“We’ve assessed the suitability of hotels being used for the Australian Open and introduced significant infection prevention and control measures to protect residents, staff and the Victorian community. These measures have been approved by the Chief Health Officer,” she said.“The existing residents at The Westin Melbourne will be completely separate from the quarantine program and will have no contact with staff or residents. There will be a separate entrance, dedicated lifts, exclusive floors with no shared common spaces and no shared ventilation between the floors.“This is in addition to strict safety measures in place at The Westin Melbourne with floor monitors stationed on every floor, a 24/7 Victoria Police presence, daily staff testing, pre-emptive contact tracing, stringent PPE use and infection prevention and control processes embedded throughout the program.“We will continue to work closely with The Westin Melbourne and Tennis Australia.”Non-symptomatic tennis players and their entourages – including coaches, medical specialists and family members – tennis officials and critical workers will be quarantined.All will undergo regular testing and if a positive case is identified, the person would be moved to a health hotel.A government spokesperson said existing residents at The Westin would be completely separate from the quarantine program.There would be a separate entrance, dedicated lifts, exclusive floors with no shared common spaces and no shared ventilation between the floors.And all quarantine guests would be guarded by floor monitors stationed on every floor, and a 24/7 Victoria Police presence. “CQV is working closely with Tennis Australia regarding quarantine arrangements for the Australian Open,” he said.“All decisions on quarantine for the Australian Open will be guided by public health advice.”“Rigorous infection prevention and control measures will be central to approved arrangements.”The Westin and Graeme Efron, the lawyer mounting the legal challenge, have each been contacted for comment.
More to come.