International travellers beware: the federal government is considering a requirement that people returning to Canada quarantine in a hotel at their own expense for 14 days to limit the spread of COVID-19. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed to reporters Friday that it’s a possibility being considered along with other travel measures that could be implemented … Read more
A petition calling on the B.C. government to lock down the province’s borders amid COVID-19 is gaining momentum online. Vancouver Island resident Christian Stapff is behind the petition urging Premier John Horgan to shut the province’s borders to non-essential travel for one month. Stapff, a school teacher with the Vancouver Island West school district, said … Read more
Men’s world number one Novak Djokovic has hit back at criticism of his letter to Australian Open chief Craig Tiley in which he suggested easing of quarantine restrictions, saying his good intentions were “misconstrued”. Key points: Djokovic said he made a series of requests rather than demands He said he “genuinely” cared about other players … Read more
OTTAWA—Frustrated at a fluctuating vaccine supply and the aggressive spread of COVID-19 in his province, Quebec Premier François Legault demanded Monday that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ban all non-essential travel into and out of Canada — a suggestion Trudeau has dismissed just hours earlier. Trudeau said the Canadian Constitution guarantees citizens the right to leave … Read more
It has been five days since the last chartered plane load of players and officials flew into the country and headed into quarantine before the start of the Australian Open on February 8. Tournament director Craig Tiley said those five days have felt like a year. “There’s been a lot going on,” he said, as … Read more
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has issued an impassioned plea to her fellow players to show “understanding and empathy” amid criticism of quarantine conditions in Melbourne. Key points: Azarenka urges all players to be mindful of what Victorians have experienced during the COVID-19 lockdown She says respect needed to be shown for the pandemic’s … Read more
In the haste to keep the Australian Open as close to its January timeslot as possible better alternatives may have been overlooked, according to John Alexander, the former Australian Open doubles champion, now the federal Member for Bennelong. Key points: John Alexander said Tennis Australia was “too hasty” in its decision to stick to its … Read more
The world’s best tennis players have had an abrupt introduction to the world of hotel quarantine and isolation upon their arrival into Australia. Of all the players set to compete in the first major of the season, 72 are now in hard quarantine after three of the 17 charter flights were impacted by positive COVID … Read more
A Canadian tennis coach who tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Melbourne for the Australian Open has apologised for the disruption and says he has no idea how he caught the virus. Dozens of players who flew into Melbourne for the Australian Open will be confined to their rooms and unable to train outside … Read more
Tennis players who flew into Melbourne on a third charter plane will be forced into two weeks’ quarantine and will be unable to train after a positive COVID-19 result was detected on a passenger on a flight from Qatar. Key points: Five people have now tested positive after arriving on flights bringing players to Australia … Read more
Tennis stars and their coaching staff have started to arrive in Australia ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on February 8. About 1,200 players and coaching staff are expected to travel to Australia for the tournament, which has been delayed by three weeks. But there have already been hiccups, with Andy Murray and Madison … Read more
Andy Murray has reportedly tested positive for coronavirus days before he was due to leave Britain for the Australian Open. Key points: Sandgren tweeted he tested positive to COVID-19 on Monday and claimed he also returned a positive result in November He tweeted he had been barred from boarding a chartered flight in Los Angeles … Read more
Andy Murray’s return to the Australian Open is in doubt after the Scotsman tested positive for COVID-19 just days before he was due to fly to Australia via a charter flight. Key points: Sandgren tweeted he tested positive to COVID-19 on Monday and claimed he also returned a positive result in November He tweeted he … Read more
The British government is increasingly alarmed by the sight of soccer players hugging and kissing in celebrations, risking coronavirus infections and the sport’s ability to be allowed to continue during the latest lockdown. Key points: UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said footballers were “no exception” to COVID rules The EPL said clubs will be punished … Read more
The Australian Grand Prix will be postponed to the back end of the Formula 1 season with Bahrain replacing it as the opening race in March, according to Aston Martin team owner Lawrence Stroll. Key points: There has been speculation that quarantine requirements for international arrivals in Australia would make it logistically difficult to stage … Read more
England all-rounder Moeen Ali was isolating in Sri Lanka on Monday after testing positive for coronavirus upon his arrival in the south Asian country for the team’s two-Test cricket tour. Key points: England cricketers Moeen Ali and Chris Woakes are both isolating after Ali tested positive to COVID-19 on arrival in Sri Lanka The spinning … Read more