The SCG will be reduced to 25 per cent crowd capacity for this week’s cricket Test as acting NSW Premier John Barilaro urges regional NSW residents to reconsider attending the match.
Cricket Australia (CA) and the SCG Trust have announced the change amid growing unease about Sydney’s COVID-19 outbreak.
The new settings for the third Test against India are expected to allow for about 10,000 fans each day, down from the previous figure of about 20,000.
The Australian Medical Association has led calls for the SCG Test to be played in front of empty stands because of the risk it could be a virus super-spreading event.
Refunds will be processed from Monday as CA hastily reconfigures the iconic venue’s seating ahead of the opening day on Thursday.
“We are working closely with Venues NSW and NSW Health to put appropriate biosecurity measures in place for our staff, players, match officials, broadcasters and fans to ensure we play the third Test at the SCG safely,” CA’s chief executive Nick Hockley said.
“Reducing the capacity of the venue is crucial in achieving social distancing requirements.”
The NSW government reported zero new cases of COVID-19 community transmission on Monday.
However, Barilaro cautioned that two new cases will be part of Tuesday’s numbers and that testing numbers are “far too low”.
The NSW Nationals Leader also argued that 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,” Barilaro said.
“I know regional people use common sense.
“The risk would be … they could take it (coronavirus) back to a regional area.”
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Not sure on that paul Scotty , gladys and Dan would all get relected tmw , federally and in each state id think . Covid and ineptitude has made them more popular some how
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Christmas island another great taxpayer waste
Pierro
Roar Rookie
U it Wouldn't be hard with comrrade dan in charge of Victoria
Pierro
Roar Rookie
Losing argument for you on this one medically paul but alas it’s all moot the test luckily goes ahead . Decision. Was made a week ago to play at scg where there was zero medical certainty back then . Epidemiologists were pretty united in not letting it go ahead or have any crowd present then . At least the numbers have improved since then but that’s luck and good quarentine and tracing , anything could happen with covid in the last week and not you me or CA or state gov could predict it was my pointn. Let’s hope we get it to the gabba and Australia gets through the scg test with a win or draw. If they can prevent india from scoring 630 for 7 with same bowling line up and result as 2018 it will be a good start . Mcg and scg not happy grounds against india in last few years it seems
The Sports Lover
Roar Rookie
I’m surprised the NSW government so readily agreed for the Test to be played at the SCG. The reduced crowd numbers are going to rob it of atmosphere.
Paul
Roar Guru
If the NSW chief health officer is so concerned, why has they not come out in public and point blank said, don’t host the event with crowds? As for your comment about the NSW gov’t asking the opinion of 10 doctors and accepting one, if I was the chief medical officer, I’d be seriously angry because that comment demeans them and their position.
Dean F
Guest
And if death results can Gladys be charged with murder?
U
Roar Rookie
Well considering no one took responsibility for 820 dead in Victoria or 15 times as many dead as NSW, I think they’ll be fine
U
Roar Rookie
Haven’t seen NSW lose hundreds of dead just yet. So they’re way ahead of Victoria so far
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Excellent point
hypocrite
Guest
The prevailing medical advice has been to not play the test in front of crowds, Paul. yes, the AMA won't speak for everyone of it's members, but I'd wager it speaks for a majority of them. Several virologists and epidemiologists have written numerous articles about the dangers of hosting this test in front of a crowd. Most recently today in the smh. In fact, I haven't read a single article by a physician who has said it is a good idea to host this test in front of crowds. The NSW govt likely got 10 doctors opinion, and accepted the 1 who said it was safe and chose to decline the advice of the other 9. Not singling the NSW govt here, everyone does it. We all choose to hear what we want to. When the chief health officer said on record he wouldn't take his parents, alarm bells should have rung.
JGK
Roar Guru
Christmas Island is pretty empty.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm not saying it is, I'm saying those in charge of this decision would be making it on the basis of medical advice. They're working in concert with health officials from the NSW Gov't, at least some of whom are also members of the AMA. If they are saying play the game with limited fan numbers, I hardly think the AMA is representing ALL of it's members. I
Dean F
Guest
Sydney has more hotels than Perth. Just like Perth will have more hotels than Hobart. It's all relative. It's all moot anyway. Hotels quarantine was an ad hoc solution at the start of the pandemic arrivals. I'm not sure what they are still doing it 10 months later. Surely they'd have secure facilities away from city centres built by now.
hypocrite
Guest
So the AMA - the chief body of medical experts have advocated for this test to be called off, or at the very minimum played behind closed doors. the acting chief health officer has admitted on camera in a live interview that he would not want his elderly parents going. So, why do you think it's safe to go?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And therefore the infrastructure and risk burden is deemed the same. It’s a basic tenet of our Federal compact. Germany and Canada do the same whereas the USA has more disparate approach
JGK
Roar Guru
Per capita isn't really the point though. The more people who come into a state, the more likely there will be a quarantine breach.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Agreed Paul, if the gov listen to the medical experts it’ll be ok, they pushing for 30000 tests a day for a reason. The mystery cases low, their tracking is good. They don’t won’t it going pair shaped.
Paul
Roar Guru
tell me what credit will they claim, Pedro? I'm not aware of anyone claiming credit for the success of the first two Tests, even though there were serious question marks leading up to both games. I'm also sure if there are issues as a result of this Test being held in Sydney, it will make zero difference what the pollies say. The public's trust in them is so low, most will make up their own minds if blame needs to be attached.
Irie
Roar Rookie
If it does go "tits up" and becomes a super spreader event imagine the class action....