Players and officials bound for the Asia tour must have a negative Covid-19 test result taken within 72 hours before arriving in Bangkok. Participants must also go into quarantine for 14 days at an official hotel which will be closed to outsiders. A number of PCR tests will also be carried out while they are in Thailand.
These measures outline the strict health and safety protocols which the Badminton Association of Thailand (BAT) has imposed for players and officials who will attend the Asia Tour in January next year.
Bangkok will see the Yonex Thailand Open (12-17 January), Toyota Thailand Open (19-24 January), and the World Tour Finals (27-31 January) take place as the Badminton World Federation works towards resuming tournaments.
Quoted in the New Straits Times, BAT informed, “During the 14-day quarantine period, athletes and entourage can practice and use the recreational facilities in compliance with the given schedule. Athletes cannot go outside the ‘bubble’ during the quarantine period.
“However, they don’t have to stay inside their rooms all the time while observing the quarantine period.
“There will also be a schedule for each team to use the recreational and practice facilities. Only athletes and entourage from the same country can go to the recreational area at an allocated time.”
Additional quarantine days may be required for players and officials from high-risk countries for Covid-19. The list of high-risk countries will be announced soon.
All players and officials must arrive in Bangkok by noon January 4 to be considered Day One of quarantine. Participants from high-risk countries for Covid-19 may be required to arrive earlier. BAT will also provide every player and official with a Covid-19 insurance policy of up to 10,000 USD coverage, free of charge.
In April, the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) will hold two tournaments in Kuala Lumpur. BAM Secretary General Kenny Goh said, “We will use similar measures, but we will carry out further consultations with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Council Members and the National Security Council to adjust the SOPs to suit the latest situation in our country.”