Pune ATP would be played inside the bubbles with the restrictions and curbs announced by the Maharashtra Government.
ATP 250 Maharashtra Open, Commonly Pune ATP would be played behind the bio secured bubble as per the new notifications coming up after the recent bulge in the cases around the country. While a negative RT-PCR is a pre requisite for the game.
It’ll happen in a bubble, but importantly it will happen,” says Sunder Iyer, honorary secretary of the Maharashtra State Lawn Tennis Association (MSLTA), the host for the tournament.
“Players will have to clear the RT-PCR test 72 hours before arriving in India. Once they land, they will head straight to the hotel where they will be tested again. After that, they’ll get tested on the fourth and seventh day.”
India’s only Pune ATP tournament was added to the professional tour 2022 calendar back in November, and will take place starting January 31. This will be the first time since the 2020 edition that the event will be held, as the tournament last year was cancelled since the Indian government had made it mandatory for all travellers arriving from abroad to enter a 14-day quarantine.
No quarantine (will be required). We have got a special exemption from the Maharashtra government,” Iyer adds.However, Iyer makes it clear that there will be no medical exemptions made available to unvaccinated players or their support staff.“Double vaccination is compulsory to enter the stadium. No exemptions, this is the Government of India rule. Even if you have to enter a mall you need to be double vaccinated, so the same will apply here,” he says.
The organisers, according to Iyer, are finalising the lodging arrangements with hotels near the Balewadi Sports Complex, where “everyone involved in the tournament will be staying.”However, he’s uncertain about the use of ball kids during the event.Since vaccines were only recently opened for under-18s, there will not be any fully vaccinated ball kid available to volunteer at the event.“It’s not decided what will happen, we will have to discuss it with the ATP. We don’t know where the kids are coming from, and they will not be fully vaccinated right now,” he concludes.
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a health advice. We would ask you to consult a qualified professional or medical expert to gain additional knowledge before you choose to consume any product or perform any exercise.
