Kiwi tennis players Artem Sitak and Marcus Daniell caught up in Australian Open Covid-19 quarantine
Emerging virus cases have left many players in doubt as to whether they'll be able to practice before the grand slam event. Match practice is expected to commence on Monday.
Tennis Australia has confirmed no changes will be made to the schedule despite some players saying 14 days of isolation would hinder their performance.
A number of players have taken to social media to express their frustration at being stuck in a hotel room for the next two weeks and not being able to engage in proper training.
The positive cases will be transferred to Melbourne's Holiday Inn, with Ms Cassar telling reporters some players and support crews who are testing the state's quarantine regime might not be far behind them.
Ms Cassar flagged Victorian officials will issue fines and further action for players who try and breach the rules, which are designed to contain potential strains of coronavirus from entering Australia.
"We take all breaches really seriously," she said.
"For the players, that is a fine of up to $20,000, a warning from the police, but what we have also considered today is for those who are persistently breaching or not willing to remain in their rooms, our other option would be to transfer people to the complex care hotel where there is a member of Victoria Police outside the door."
Victoria Police said it would not be commenting on individual cases but "will not hesitate to issue fines for obvious and blatant breaches of any mandatory quarantine requirements".
It is understood the breaches have been linked to players and crew members leaving rooms to speak to one another.
"Some of these challenging behaviours include one player who opened his door to try and have a conversation with his training mate down the hallway," Ms Cassar said.
"It is very low level, but they are dangerous acts that we cannot tolerate."
Another example flagged by Ms Cassar was a player who shouted food for others within the hotel – which is allowed – before breaking the rules by opening his door to "praise himself for his great efforts".
The complex care hotel is the Novotel situated in the city's central business district.
Players infected with or potentially exposed to the US strain have been denied practice times on court under Victoria's quarantine rules.
Results for people impacted by both the Los Angeles and Abu Dhabi flights are expected to be revealed at 3.30pm on Sunday.
Players who test negative for COVID-19 are able to begin practice Monday.
