A group of cricket fans attending the third Test between Australia and India at the SCG have taken coronavirus safety to a new level.
Key points:
- People attending the cricket will have to wear masks except when they are eating or drinking
- Surrounding hospitality venues will be severely curtailed in what they can offer
- There will be 450 extra bus and light rail services to avoid crowding
Despite days of growing pressure to cancel crowds at the SCG, the traditional New Year’s cricket Test has begun with crowds capped at 25 per cent capacity.
Attendees are required to wear a mask at all times except for when they are eating and drinking.
Among the smaller-than-usual SCG crowd were plenty of punters adopting the health advice, with a quartet of men taking things a few steps further.
“We’re just being cautious, making sure we’re all covered up for the cricket today,” one of them said.
“We’re just hoping we can get in, have a few beers — the get up is suited to the situation.”
Guarav and his friends caught public transport to the Test and said people were respecting the rules by donning a mask.
“Everyone was complying, there was a police presence as well,” he said.
“(I’m) not really used to this, wearing masks outside is fine but at the game you’re trying to chant or a have a laugh, not sure how it’s going to play out.”
Peter Dray and Mark Woodward arrived early with their masks on and have tickets to the first two days of the Test.
“No footy, no cricket since last Big Bash game we went to, it’s about time we went out and saw some sport,” Mr Dray said.
“I drove, I’m not risking it on the public transport.”
Mr Woodward said he felt fairly confident with the level of restrictions at the SCG today.
“It’ll be a bit uncomfortable but you have to get used to it if it’s going to be like this for a while,” he said.
Inside, Aditya Hingorani described it as a good atmosphere overall, despite the police and security presence.
“It’s subdued relative to a normal New Year’s Test at the SCG, I was here a month ago for the T20 and it was heaving with an amazing atmosphere,” he said.
Mr Hingorani said safety messages about social distancing and mask-wearing were being reinforced on the loudspeaker.
Local haunts struggle with reduced crowds
Initially billed to be only 50 per cent capacity, that has been reduced again, and now less than 10,000 will be allowed to attend each day in a stadium that usually sits 38,000.
For businesses that would usually rely on income from the New Year’s Test, it’s a disappointing outcome.
The Bat and Ball Hotel is often favoured by those walking back into town after the cricket and other sporting matches at Moore Park.
Licensee Martin Ball said they are only taking bookings today and won’t admit any walk-ins, as they can only sit 50 people under current social distancing rules.
“This is usually the busiest time of the year … we’re one of the busiest pubs during the Test,” he said.
“We’re going to be turning more people away than we’ll be serving.”
Mr Ball said he expects to turn away at least 400 people after an already difficult silly season, while Sydney was gripped by the northern beaches outbreak.
“The last month has been really tough on us … we were really looking forward to the five days of the Test.”
Restrictions make for a different day one
The NSW Government took the final step of mandating masks yesterday after an attendee of the second Test at the MCG tested positive for COVID-19.
While the origin of that infection is unclear, the fact they attended the cricket has created concern, in case they caught it there.
Now, attendees to the cricket will be required to wear a mask at all times except for when they are eating and drinking.
“We were trying to not impose that requirement because obviously people are sitting there in some cases for many hours,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said.
“But the evidence … from the Victorian situation is such that the public health officials were of the view we need to step it up to that higher level.”
The Government has also decided that people who live or work in Berala and other suburbs affected by that growing cluster, will not be allowed at the test.
Transport boss says drive instead
Ordinarily people going to sporting events in Sydney are incentivised to take public transport because it’s often free with a ticket to the game.
This year, you’ll have to wear a mask if you want to get a bus or the light rail — but even the head of Transport for NSW encouraged people to find other ways to get to the match.
“Though it hurts me to say this, if you can drive with a designated driver it’s important you use that method,” Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins said.
“Rideshare, Uber or equivalent is another way of getting to the test — there will be extra road measures in place, extra support to get you in and out of that area.”
Mr Collins said Transport for NSW was still running the plan they had in place when 23,000 were expected to go the match, even though less than half are now attending.
There will be 450 extra bus and light rail services to get people to and from the ground.
“Travel early, give yourself plenty of time, don’t all arrive in a rush at 11 or 10.30 on the first or second day, please spread the load so we can queue you successfully and while you’re waiting please keep your distance,” Mr Collins said.
