As the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was retained as the venue for the upcoming New Year’s Test between Australia and India amid the spike in COVID-19 cases in New South Wales (NSW), Australian authorities have asked the fans to follow all the protocols in place and not cheer loudly at the stadium.
On Wednesday, December 29, Cricket Australia has confirmed that the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be held at the SCG as planned with an expected reduced capacity of 50% – around 24,000 spectators at the 48,000-seat SCG with the game beginning January 7, 2021.
While the NSW Government restricted movement and tightened curbs on gatherings in Sydney, limiting 30 people for the New Year’s celebration, after the state recorded 18 new cases, CA got the nod to go ahead with the plans from the authorities in NSW, SCG Trust and Queensland.
The state government has insisted that it is safe for thousands of cricket fans to attend the New Year’s Test in Sydney since the 50% capacity is Coronavirus-safe, as advised by the health authorities.
It is being said that the Masks will be handed out on public transport to any fans who were allowed to enter the SCG for the New Year’s Test while asking the fans to be mindful of the risks of “screaming and chanting, particularly when they are not in their fixed location”.
The NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant told media: “We will be handing out masks on public transport going into the SCG, and advising people to wear masks when they are not physically at their seat. We also are asking people to ensure that they recognize (rules) around screaming and chanting, particularly when they are not in their fixed location.”
Chant further added, “There are a number of strategies laid out in our Covid-safe plans that allow for movement in and out so that people are not as likely to come into contact with each other. We have got faith in the transport plan and the work that the Sydney Cricket Ground has done, but we are looking over the plans as we speak to ensure that we can strengthen all elements.”
Noteworthy, India and Australia players will travel to Sydney only three days prior to the third Test – means January 3 to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 infection.
It is also reported that the NSW authorities would monitor the situation and provide an update on plans for the third SCG Test by 2 January – five days out from the start of the match.
(With Reuters/The Guardian Inputs)
