Victorian Sport Minister says rule on unvaccinated Australian Open players ‘not settled yet’

Victorian Sport and Major Events Minister Martin Pakula says no decision has been made about whether unvaccinated international tennis players will be allowed to compete at the Australian Open.

A leaked email sent to all Women’s Tennis Association players suggests those who are not vaccinated will still be allowed into the country if they complete 14 days in hotel quarantine.

But Mr Pakula told Neil Mitchell that’s “not settled yet”.

“We’re still talking to the Commonwealth about whether the rule for international unvaccinated arrivals is either 14 days quarantine or they’re not coming into the country at all,” he said.

“We don’t expect that to be settled for another couple of weeks.”

Mr Pakula says if vaccinated players are permitted to enter Australia after undergoing 14 days of quarantine, they’ll be subject to the same rules as all other unvaccinated people in Victoria. They won’t be permitted to go to non-essential retailers or dine out.

The Minister for Sport and Major events says he’s been told vaccination rates among players are climbing quickly.

“The vax rate among the players is rising pretty quickly now. It’s near and up to 80 per cent,” he said.

Press PLAY below to hear Mr Pakula’s view on vaccination for tennis players