Australian Open is thrown into chaos as 23 players fly to Melbourne with Covid case on board

Australian Open is thrown into chaos as 23 players travel on a charter flight to Melbourne with an infected passenger on board

The Australian Open has been thrown into further chaos after 23 players touched down in Melbourne on a charter flight with an infected passenger on board.

One traveller on board the flight from Abu Dhabi tested positive to coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the Australian Open said on Saturday night. 

There were 64 people on the aircraft, including 23 players.

‘All passengers from the flight are already in quarantine hotels,’ the sport event said.

The Covid-19 patient, who is not a player, has been taken to a health hotel. They tested negative to coronavirus before the flight. 

‘The 23 players on the flight will not be able to leave their hotel room for 14 days and until they are medically cleared,’ a statement continued.

‘They will not be eligible to practise.’ 

The update on Saturday night comes just hours after the Australian Open revealed two travellers had tested positive after travelling on a different charter flight.

More to come