CMO permits sport training—but only five persons per session

Editor Tuesday 18 August 2020 Local Football, Other Sports, Volley Leave a comment

Chief medical officer Dr Roshan Parasram will allow sporting teams to train despite the current Covid-19 restrictions—but only with five persons per facility.

Article two of the Public Health (2019 Novel Coronavirus) Regulations states: During the period specified in regulation 12, a person shall not, without reasonable justification:

(a) be found at any public place where the number of persons gathered at any time exceeds five;
(b) participate in any group contact sports; or
(c) participate in any team sports, except with the approval of the minister.

Photo: Aaron Wilson (left) and Yuvraaj Dookram compete in the table tennis doubles competition at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
(Copyright Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)

However, Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago (SporTT) corporate communications manager Kevin Garcia informed local sporting bodies today the legal decree will not mean a complete stop on sports.

“Based on further questioning to the chief medical officer, it was relayed to us that team training can continue but must be limited to five persons per facility per session,” stated Garcia, in a letter to NGBs. “In addition to this, aquatic activities are restricted and all public pools are to remain closed. Moving forward, we will continue to accept bookings under the new variations via our online portal only.

“The same rules apply with regards to sanitisation and please remember persons not on your list of attendees will not be allowed access to the facility.

“It should also not go unmentioned that persons not complying with our sanitisation guidelines will be warned before being removed from our facilities.”

The current restrictions on public gatherings and contact sport are due to remain in place until Monday 28 September, which means a lengthy delay for the 2020 Ascension Tournament.

Photo: Naparima College midfielder Decklan Marcelle (left) tries to escape from a QRC opponent during SSFL action at St Mary’s College grounds, St Clair.
(Copyright Allan V Crane/CA-Images/Wired868)

The Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) season usually starts in the first week of September but, with schools likely to remain closed until 2021, it is expected that the 2020 season will be cancelled altogether.

The SSFL executive, which is headed by interim president Phillip Fraser at present, is expected to meet on the matter soon.

However, despite the obvious issues for activities like football, cricket and rugby, other sports with less participants like tennis, table tennis, gymnastics and badminton can proceed under the current restrictions.

Editor

CMO permits sport training—but only five persons per session

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