IMPACT to host premier badminton tournaments behind closed doors under strict COVID-19 preventive measures throughout January

Published : 2021-01-11

Mr. Paul Kanjanapas, Managing Director of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., the operator of IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center or IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, said that IMPACT is honored to be chosen as the host venue for the BWF World Tour. For the first time ever, Thailand will host three major badminton tournaments which will take place throughout January 2021. The IMPACT Arena is selected as the tournament venue and Hall 5 will serve as a training facility while Novotel Bangkok IMPACT and ibis Bangkok IMPACT will provide accommodation for overseas and Thai athletes as well as their support staff and officials.

“Since the new wave of COVID-19 outbreak started in mid-December last year, the number of infections has continued to rise, and the outbreak has now spread to many areas across the country. The government has announced strict measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, including the prohibition of large crowded events. To comply with the safety and precautionary measures against COVID-19, event organizers are required to inform public health authorities and the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) of the activities they are planning to organize and management plans one month in advance. IMPACT is ready to closely coordinate and cooperate fully with government agencies to ensure the safety of event attendees.”

The outbreak has prompted IMPACT to adapt to the new normal. All events are held under the IMPACT We Care measure and the concept of Smartness on Top of Safety. Safety, health and hygiene protocols are strictly followed. Rigorous sanitization of the venue is conducted pre and post event by dedicated cleaning staff along with the use of mobile Germ Saber UVC Sterilizer. Clients, event organizers, attendees, and staff are required to strictly follow the COVID-19 safety guidelines, including using the Thai Chana mobile application for checking in and out of the premises, wearing a face mask, cleaning hands with sanitizer gel, and keeping a safe distance from others.   

As the chosen venue in Thailand, IMPACT has pledged its full support for the three premier badminton tournaments scheduled for this month. There is a specific list of staff assigned to carry out certain tasks in specific areas during the tournaments. IMPACT is also working closely with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the Badminton Association of Thailand, the Department of Health, the Royal Thai Air Force’s Directorate of Medical Services, public health authorities, and other relevant agencies on the measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and safety guidelines for overseas and Thai athletes as well as their support staff to strictly follow.

All players and staff involved in these tournaments are required to undergo COVID-19 test immediately upon arrival and must have a negative test result. Separate buses, hotels, and training programs are provided for different countries. Players will meet each other only when they are competing. There will be only three competition courts to keep a safe distance while training courts are walled up. In addition, players will receive shuttlecocks from dispensers instead of service judges. Any person wishes to leave the quarantine facility after 14 days of mandatory quarantine must inform the tournament management team.

All players and staff must remain inside their designated “Bubble Quarantine” or Organizational Quarantine (OQ) facilities strictly from January 4-31 before being allowed to leave. They can leave the facilities after 14 days but will not be allowed to re-enter, and outsiders are strictly prohibited from entering the bubble. All the tournaments and activities inside the bubble will be monitored by health officials from the Department of Disease Control and the Royal Thai Air Force’s Directorate of Medical Services and must comply fully with the regulations and announcements related to the Communicable Diseases Act B.E. 2558 throughout the entire 1-month tournament period. To ensure maximum safety, all players and persons involved in the tournaments will undergo COVID-19 tests multiple times before entering the quarantine facilities, while at the facilities, and before leaving.  

All players and staff have tested negative for COVID-19 and they are now staying at Novotel Bangkok IMPACT and ibis Bangkok IMPACT which serve as the designated “Bubble Quarantine” or Organizational Quarantine (OQ) facilities. The three premier badminton tournaments will be held behind closed doors without an audience. However, the tournaments will be broadcasted on several leading channels including TrueVisions, True4U, TNN, and TrueID. TrueVisions will broadcast 20 live matches a day, and the press will cover the tournaments and share updates throughout January.

The three major global badminton tournaments to be held at IMPACT Arena include the YONEX Thailand Open 2020 which is scheduled for January 12-17, the TOYOTA Thailand Open 2020 from January 19-24, and the HSBC BWF World Tour Finals 2020 from January 27-31.