Covid-19: Top stars but no spectators for BWF India Open 2021

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The BWF India Open Super 5000 in New Delhi will continue despite seven COVID-19 positive cases
The BWF India Open Super 5000 in New Delhi will continue despite seven COVID-19 positive cases.

The BWF India Open Super 500 will have top stars in action from May 11 to 16 in New Delhi despite the coronavirus blast in the National Capital. Olympic champion Carolina Marin and World No. 1 Kento Momota along with ace Indians PV Sindhu, Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srinath are among the confirmed names.

The abnormal situation will, however, mean abnormal measures for the biggest badminton event on the Indian badminton calendar. Strict Covid-19 protocols will be in place to ensure the success of the BWF Super 500 event, which was cancelled last year due to the global pandemic situation.

Badminton Association of India has issued an advisory to the visiting players. The participants and officials will have to stay in quarantine for four to seven days before entering the competition bio-bubble.

The players coming from South Africa, Brazil, UAE, the United Kingdom and other European countries have been advised to arrive on May 3, to be in quarantine for a week.

Players from any other country will have to reach latest by May 6 and be in four-day quarantine before the tournament begins on May 11. Indian players will also have to remain in quarantine for four days.

“To ensure everyone’s safety in this difficult times, players and the officials will have to follow some guidelines while coming for #YonexSunriseIndiaOpen2021,” the BAI has stated in a tweeted message.

The India Open in New Delhi traditionally attracts good crowds by the badminton standards in India. The stands this year will remain empty. The BAI has also decided to allow no spectators for the matches for the matches in New Delhi.

The National Capital is faced with its worst health crisis with over 16,000 Covid-19 cases reported for two successive days.