Sydney, January 6: Wearing masks will be mandatory for spectators attending the third cricket Test between Australia and India starting at the SCG on Thursday, New South Wales Health Minister Brad Hazzard said on Wednesday.

Around 10,000 fans will be allowed to watch the Test even as COVID-19 cases grow in Sydney.

The announcement comes after a fan attending last month's Boxing Day Test between India and Australia at the MCG tested positive for COVID-19. "A COVID day for cricket, and that means mask on, not mask off unless you are actually eating or drinking," Hazzard told 9News. "We really love cricket but on this occasion we can't afford to love it and also end up with COVID." How to Watch India vs Australia 3rd Test 2021 Live Streaming Online on Sony LIV App? Get Free Live Telecast of IND vs AUS Sydney Test & Cricket Score Updates on TV.

Wentworthville and Belmore have been added to the banned list of suburbs which cannot attend the SCG Test. Hazzard said any person who has visited the suburbs Auburn, Belmore, Berala, Birrong, Lidcombe North, Potts Hill, Regents Park, Rookwood, Wentworthville will not be permitted to attend the Test.

According to a report in 'The Telegraph', the man was not infectious while at the famed Melbourne Cricket Ground on the second day of play "but there is potential he acquired the virus while there" or at a nearby shopping centre.

India won the second Test at the MCG where close to 30,000 people watched the live action.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)