Masks compulsory at Sydney Test and cricket spectators urged to drive to the SCG

Only 10,000 fans will be allowed to attend each day.(ABC News: Dan Colasimone)

Despite days of growing pressure to cancel crowds at the SCG, the traditional New Year’s cricket Test starts today, albeit with some significant changes.

Initially billed to be only 50 per cent capacity, that has been reduced again, and now less than 10,000 will be allowed to attend each day in a stadium that usually sits 38,000.

For businesses that would usually rely on income from the New Year’s Test, it’s a disappointing outcome.

The Bat and Ball Hotel is often favoured by those walking back into town after the cricket and other sporting matches at Moore Park.

Licensee Martin Ball said they are only taking bookings today and won’t admit any walk-ins, as they can only sit 50 people under current social distancing rules.

“This is usually the busiest time of the year … we’re one of the busiest pubs during the Test,” he told the ABC.

“We’re going to be turning more people away than we’ll be serving.”

Mr Ball said he expects to turn away at least 400 people after an already difficult silly season, while Sydney was gripped by the northern beaches outbreak.

“The last month has been really tough on us … we were really looking forward to the five days of the Test.”

Tickets have sold out for day one of the Test between Australia and India and will raise money for breast cancer nurses through the McGrath Foundation.

After gradually increasing the requirements for mask wearing, the NSW Government took the final step of mandating them yesterday after an attendee of the second Test at the MCG tested positive for COVID-19.

While the origin of that infection is unclear, the fact they attended the cricket has created concern, in case they caught it there.

Now, attendees to the cricket will be required to wear a mask at all times except for when they are eating and drinking.

“We were trying to not impose that requirement because obviously people are sitting there in some cases for many hours,” NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said when announcing the new restrictions yesterday, adding that the MCG warning had “obviously” influenced their thinking.

“But the evidence … from the Victorian situation is such that the public health officials were of the view we need to step it up to that higher level.”

Ordinarily people going to sporting events in Sydney are incentivised to take public transport because it’s often free with a ticket to the game.

This year, you’ll have to wear a mask if you want to get a bus or the light rail — but even the head of Transport for NSW encouraged people to find other ways to get to the match.

“Though it hurts me to say this, if you can drive with a designated driver it’s important you use that method,” Sydney Trains chief executive Howard Collins said.

“Rideshare, Uber or equivalent is another way of getting to the test — there will be extra road measures in place, extra support to get you in and out of that area.”

Mr Collins said Transport for NSW was still running the plan they had in place when 23,000 were expected to go the match, even though less than half are now attending.

There will be 450 extra bus and light rail services to get people to and from the ground.

“Travel early, give yourself plenty of time, don’t all arrive in a rush at 11 or 10.30 on the first or second day, please spread the load so we can queue you successfully and while you’re waiting please keep your distance,” Mr Collins said.

The Government has also decided that people who live or work in Berala and other suburbs affected by that growing cluster, will not be allowed at the test.

That also applies to anyone who was at the MCG during the exposure time for the second day of the Boxing Day Test.

ABC