This week’s Australia-India cricket Test in Sydney will go ahead with crowds reduced to 25 per cent capacity despite earlier warnings from the Australian Medical Association for it to be played without spectators.
Cricket Australia announced on Monday it will halve the number of spectators allowed into the Sydney Cricket Ground for each day of the Test, scheduled to start on Thursday.
The SCG has a capacity of 48,000 people, meaning around 12,000 will be let in, down from the 24,000 that had originally been planned.
The Test will be re-ticketed, meaning those who bought admission under the original restrictions will be refunded and new tickets will be resold.
Tickets will be back on sale to those who had bought a seat at 5pm AEDT on Monday, with the remaining tickets released at midday AEDT Tuesday.
“Reducing the capacity of the venue is crucial in achieving social distancing requirements, and we sincerely thank ticketholders for their patience, as we process refunds today, reconfigure the SCG seating plan to deliver these social distancing measures and go back on sale,” Cricket Australia interim CEO Nick Hockley said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather said the Test would be safe and that plans had been developed in close conjunction with NSW health authorities.
“The SCG is ready for cricket and ready to host fans with safety and public health as the number one priority,” she told reporters.
Ms Mather said that masks would be strongly encouraged for all those who attend when moving around the grounds.
The AMA had earlier called for the Test to be played without crowds, saying the coronavirus risk was too high given the latest outbreak in Sydney.
“This is a potential transmission site, as people queue at the ticket gates, at food and beverage stalls and use shared toilet facilities – on top of taking public transport from all parts of Sydney to gather in one central location,” president Omar Khorshid said in a statement over the weekend.
Earlier on Monday, acting NSW premier John Barilaro said he was confident the event could be held in a COVID-safe manner.
“If you look at the SCG and over the period of COVID-19, it’s about 20 events and about 120,000 visitors have gone through,” Mr Barilaro said.
“In our state, and our venues, like the [NRL] grand final, [State of] Origin, The Everest or other race days, the Big Bash … we have shown that we can run events in this state in a safe way that protects our citizens, protects the players, protects those that attend.”
But he said NSW residents from regional areas should “reconsider their visit” to the SCG Test.
“Maybe this year isn’t the year to come to Sydney to watch the Test,” Mr Barilaro said.
“I know regional people use common sense. The risk would be … they could take it [COVID-19] back to a regional area.”
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your jurisdiction’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. News and information is available in 63 languages at sbs.com.au/coronavirus.
Please check the relevant guidelines for your state or territory: NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Northern Territory, ACT, Tasmania.
Additional reporting by Evan Young.
