August 28 (Reuters) – The U.S. Open is scheduled for August 31 to September 31 in New York. Here is a list of protocols developed through the United States Tennis Association (USTA) so that the tournament can be conducted safely in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic:
The matches will be played spectators.
All players participating in the US Open must show up for testing at least 4 days before the start of the tournament.
A player tested for COVID-19 will be excluded from the tournament.
Individual players will be able to bring up to 3 visitors to the site.
Players and visitors must pass two checks with COVID-19 nasal swabs 48 hours after arrival. Access to the tournament site will be provided if the first check turns out to be negative. Once the moment check is negative, the next check rate is every 4 days.
Antibody checks are recommended, but they are not mandatory. Those who test positive for antibodies will have follow-up checks every seven days.
A multi-level formula based on the day-to-day roles and jobs of the tournament will be implemented.
Level 1: Players and their guests, physiotherapists and referees from the ATP, WTA and the tournament.
Level 2: Announcers and others with limited interaction with players, adding catering, security and ball players. Level 2 Americans will not be tested for antibodies and will not be allowed to reach Arthur Ashe level until they get a negative result from their initial PCR test.
A polymera chain reaction test (PCR) is proof that the virus has been in your body lately.
Level 3 – Other staff, adding parking staff, suppliers and delivery drivers. Tier 3 Americans deserve not to interact with level 1 Americans.
Any player who comes out of the bubble without the written consent of the event’s leading doctor or tournament director, Stacey Allaster, will be eliminated and fined. Guests and coaches who leave without permission will have their participation in the tournament revoked.
The locker room will be for 30 players at a time.
Two official hotels have been booked for players and their guests, but players can rent houses.
Players staying in rental homes will have to pay for security 24 hours a day and non-members of the player-approved organization are prohibited from visiting.
Players staying at the official hotel will not be able to go from the hotel to the site and must use the round-trip service provided by the organizers. Players staying in private homes must set up their own transport.
Capacity and social distance restrictions will be implemented in all fitness spaces on the site.
Masks should be worn at all times for eating and drinking. Players don’t want to wear a mask while in the box for a game or school session.
Improved cleaning and disinfection will be carried out every day at normal intervals. (Compiled through Arvind Sriram in Bengaluru; edited through Ken Ferris)
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