Back-to-back Thailand Opens (Super 1000 level) due on January 12-17 and January 19-24, each with $1 million up for grabs, and the US$1.5-million World Tour Finals on January 27-31 will be locked down to prevent virus transmission. Thailand is on high alert after a second wave of Covid-19 hit the country last week.
“Due to the current situation, the organisers of the three BWF tournaments in Bangkok have decided they will proceed without spectators,” said Badminton Association of Thailand president Patama Leeswadtrakul.
International players must be tested 72 hours before leaving for Thailand and carry “Fit to Fly” documentation. On landing in Thailand, they will undergo a Covid-19 test, then remain confined to their rooms until the test results are known. Only once a negative test has been confirmed will the athletes be permitted to start training. Practice facilities will be offered to one nationality at a time and disinfected between each session.
Competitors and their support staff will have to stay in their bio-secure “bubbles” for 14 days after arriving in Thailand.
During the tournament players will receive shuttlecocks directly from a machine, as per the Danish Open in October.
Post-match interviews will be conducted online.