About 25,000 to 30,000 spectators will be allowed every day to watch the matches of this year's Australian Open, organizers announced on Saturday.

The first tennis Grand Slam contest of 2021 will start from February 8 and end on February 21. A crowd of 30,000 will be able to watch the matches everyday in the first eight days. The number will be cut to 25,000 from the semifinals. The total attendance will be around 390,000, half of the number in usual years, according to Victoria state's Sports Minister Martin Pakula.

"That means on Rod Laver Arena, as we get to the end of the tournament, we'll have an incredible atmosphere, not that different to the atmosphere we've seen in all the Opens in years past," said Pakula. "It will not be the same as the last few years, but it will be the most significant international event with crowds that the world has seen for many, many months."

Last year, Australia reported its first COVID-19 while the Australian Open was going on. That did not shut the event down or keep a record 810,000-crowd from watching the matches at Melbourne Park.

The organizers decided to change that this year. Instead of the popular ground pass, they are selling John Cain Arena zone passes. 

"John Cain Arena has hosted some enthralling battles over the years and is a favorite destination for both fans and players," said Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley. "As part of our planning to ensure safety for everyone, all fans will require a ticket which includes a stadium seat in one of the three zones, and which also allows access to great food, music and other activations within their specific zone."

As of Saturday, Victoria has avoided new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases for 24 days. All players to participate in the competition have gone through a mandatory 14 -day quarantine. Of the more than 1,000 players, coaches and officials who arrived via 17 charted flights, eight tested positive for the novel coronavirus.