NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The US Open tennis tournament will get underway in Queens next week with full capacity and relatively few restrictions around masks and vaccines.
According to event organizers, fans attending the annual event in Flushing Meadows will not be required to wear masks or show proof of vaccination before entering.
Dr. Brian Hainline, a U.S. Tennis Association first vice president and member of its medical advisory group, told reporters Wednesday that rules will not be enforced but, they are relying on the honor system.
“We’re still relying on the goodwill of people. The unvaccinated — although it’s not going to be enforced — they really should be wearing masks. I expect many vaccinated individuals are going to be wearing masks, as well,” he said.
Participants in the tournament do not have to be vaccinated, but they will be tested for COVID-19 when they arrive in New York, and then every four days.
While some have expressed outrage over the lack of precautions, USTA National Tennis Center CEO Danny Zausner told WCBS 880, that they are not forgoing all safety measures.
“We have taken every safeguard imaginable and following all the steps from the city, as well as from the CDC, in terms of recommendations,” he said.
He added that masks will be required in all indoor spaces at the stadiums and vaccinations are needed for all guests over the age of 12 who wish to eat indoors.
Still, New York City Councilman Mark Levine doesn’t think enough is being done to keep people safe.
“This is unique in that it's an event that draws people together from far beyond New York City,” he told WCBS 890.
He said the tennis event fell through the cracks policy-wise, and he wants a full vaccine requirement to attend.
“It needs, I think, its own special rules, ideally that would have been in place long before the start of the event, but there's still time,” Levine said.
Zausner has assured WCBS 880 that fans will be safe thanks to the fact that all courts are considered outdoor venues.
“We have an incredibly high percentage of fans that are vaccinated but, again we are an outdoor event with no shortage of air circulation in the summertime,” he said.
Fans were banned from the US Open in 2020 due to the pandemic.