Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announced this morning that crowds would be allowed into the last three days of Melbourne Cup Carnival - Cup Day (November 2), Oaks Day (November 4), Mackinnon Stakes Day (November 6), with up to 10,000 each day. Crowds at Oaks Day and Mackinnon Stakes Day would only be possible if the 80% double-dose vaccination threshold has been passed.
Andrews confirmed there would be no crowds for the first day of the carnival, Victoria Derby Day on October 30.
The 2021 Australian Open and the 2022 Women’s Australian Open have been cancelled.
It’s the second straight year Australia’s flagship golf tournaments have been cancelled because of coronavirus.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said this morning that discussions are underway for a vaccination trial allowing punters to potentially attend Derby Day at Flemington on October 30, as 80% double dose rate could be achieved on that day or the day after.
UPDATE 20/10:
The 500 general admission tickets will cost $120 each and go on sale via Ticketek from October 29.
A crowd of 5,500 fully vaccinated will be allowed on course for next Saturday’s Darby Day at Flemington, with 10,000 allowed for the remaining three days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival if the 80% double dosed threshold is met.
You’d hope they could work out something where people with tickets to one day can’t get them for others - just so more people can actually get to go.
Wonder when we’ll hear about the plans for non ‘trial’ sporting events, with the A-League/BBL seasons approaching.
The 2022 Kooyong Classic has been cancelled. It’s the second year in a row the warm-up tennis tournament to Australian Open won’t go ahead due to the effects of COVID pandemic.
Strange. What is their reasoning? Things should be relatively normal by then.
According to a statement from Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club president Adam Cossar:
We are disappointed having to make this decision but with the great deal of uncertainty over recent months about the arrangements that would be in place in January, it has not been possible to make the necessary plans to deliver the best and safest sporting and hospitality experience for our players, spectators, sponsors, broadcasters, members and event staff.
Kooyong is an invitational so it sits outside the Australian Open suite of tournaments doesn’t it?
Correct. It wouldn’t be a part of any bubble or exemption arrangements (e.g. if there was an outbreak it would have to be cancelled, not just go ahead without crowds, like the AO or an official warmup event would).
At this morning’s press conference announcing the WA COVID roadmap, Mark McGowan seemed optimistic about negotiating with governments and Cricket Australia about hosting the final Ashes Test, scheduled for January 14, however he also indicated the quarantine measures that had been enforced over the past 19 months would still continue for the time being.
I think Cricket Australia will have no choice but to force Perth Scorchers to play away from home for the upcoming BBL season. Under the current schedule, each team plays a game every 3-4 days and it won’t be feasible for visiting teams to spend a whole week in a quarantine bubble in Perth (they will still be allowed to train) before facing the Scorchers.
Similarly, the quarantine measures will also affect the new seasons of A-League, WNBL, NBL and AFLW particuarly for Perth-based teams. I think these sporting organisations will announce new fixtures in the next two weeks or so.
I hope that all of these sports move outside of WA. Mark McGowan needs to expect this for as long as he keeps such strict border measures.
Would serve the WA government right but then punishing the people who are doing the right thing is a no no .
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