'Shut the thing down': The Project's Steve Price lets rip at 'crazy' Covid risk
The Project’s Steve Price has doubled down after joining the chorus of medical experts calling for the third Test in Sydney to ban fans from attending the SCG.
On Monday, Price responded to Venues NSW CEO Kerrie Mather who appeared on The Project and claimed: “We’ve hosted more than 20 events during the COVID period and welcomed more than 150,000 people through our gates without a single incident of transmission.”
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Price said it would be ‘madness’ to allow the Test to go ahead with fans at the SCG.
“Well, good luck with that. You’re going to let people go to the cricket,” he said on Monday.
“I think they should have no one at the Test Match. Play the Test for the broadcasters, but that’s madness having a crowd in there.”
But on Wednesday, NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard, having debriefed with Victorian counterpart Martin Foley on several occasions during Wednesday morning, admitted the MCG case is "obviously influencing our thinking".
Masks, having previously been strongly recommended for anybody sitting in the SCG stands this week, were now mandatory for attendees.
Despite the further safety precautions, and a 25 per cent capacity cap per day at the SCG, Price doubled down on his comments following the announcement and said it was a mistake to allow fans in the ground.
As the third Cricket test is set to get underway tomorrow in front of a Sydney crowd, it’s been revealed someone who went Melbourne’s Boxing Day test later turned out to be COVID positive. Should crowds be cancelled? #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/NZ1cmmJT4C
— The Project (@theprojecttv) January 6, 2021
“It would be madness if they allowed 10,000 people a day,” Price added.
“The risk and reward of these mass sporting events is all out of whack. It’s all risk and no reward.
“What’s the reward? 10,000 people who love cricket get to go tomorrow, sit there wearing a mask in 22-degree heat, most of them will rip them off and slug down beer all day so they don’t have the put the mask on.
“And what is the reward for them? A day at the cricket. And the risk is we all go back into lockdown. It’s crazy.”
Price turns to MCG debacle for Covid example
Price then alluded to the MCG debacle after a man attended day two of the Boxing Day Test who had tested positive for Covid.
“We now have 8,000 people who are going to have to be tested because they were at the MCG where some bloke may have had COVID,” he added.
“If you need any more proof, just shut the thing down, and there’s precedent here.”
The SCG still has a green light to be at 25 per cent capacity on Thursday, when approximately 10,000 fans will attend the start of the third Test.
This is despite medical experts, including the Australian Medical Association, leading calls for the third Test to be played with no fans.
with AAP
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