Swiss Open and Helvetia Open cancelled
22.02.2021 16:46:15 | SDA, Thomas Schneider
The Swiss Open and Helvetia Open will also not take place in 2021. The SDA board has decided to cancel the tournaments due to take place in early June.
Last week, the Swiss government has layed out its strategy to allow society to reopen. It proposes a cautious, gradual easing of measures to avoid a third wave of COVID-19. In an initial step, the Federal Council aims to allow activities that carry a low risk of infection. These do not include sportive competitions for adults or public indoor gatherings.
More activities should be permitted progressively at monthly intervals if infection rates are favourable and as vaccination rates rise. Currently, the number of people in Switzerland who have been vaccinated is still too low to have an influence on the epidemiological situation.
The SDA board has considered the situation and decided to cancel the complete season 2020-2021. This includes the Swiss Open and the Helvetia Open 2021. Whether or not the easing of measures would allow larger indoor competitions in the coming months remains highly doubtful at this point.
By cancelling the event now the SDA board intends to create clarity especially for the players from abroad that want to take care of their travel plans. With this step, we can avoid any uncertainty and the possibility of players sitting on booked flights and accommodation in case of a short-notice cancellation.
The tournaments will not be re-scheduled. The SDA board is confident that the situation will considerably improve by the second half of 2021 and that the Swiss Open and the Helvetia Open can be held again in 2022.
Last week, the Swiss government has layed out its strategy to allow society to reopen. It proposes a cautious, gradual easing of measures to avoid a third wave of COVID-19. In an initial step, the Federal Council aims to allow activities that carry a low risk of infection. These do not include sportive competitions for adults or public indoor gatherings.
More activities should be permitted progressively at monthly intervals if infection rates are favourable and as vaccination rates rise. Currently, the number of people in Switzerland who have been vaccinated is still too low to have an influence on the epidemiological situation.
The SDA board has considered the situation and decided to cancel the complete season 2020-2021. This includes the Swiss Open and the Helvetia Open 2021. Whether or not the easing of measures would allow larger indoor competitions in the coming months remains highly doubtful at this point.
By cancelling the event now the SDA board intends to create clarity especially for the players from abroad that want to take care of their travel plans. With this step, we can avoid any uncertainty and the possibility of players sitting on booked flights and accommodation in case of a short-notice cancellation.
The tournaments will not be re-scheduled. The SDA board is confident that the situation will considerably improve by the second half of 2021 and that the Swiss Open and the Helvetia Open can be held again in 2022.
