A decision on whether Boys and Girls Athletics Championships will be held this month will be known within 24 hours.
Jamaica’s Minister of Health & Wellness Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton made the disclosure during a press conference at the RKA Building in New Kingston on Tuesday afternoon (10 March).
“There is a meeting scheduled between the organizers, the minister of sports, the minister of education and myself, the main sponsor GraceKennedy where a decision will be taken,” he said.
The Minister said, “that decision should be taken during 24 hours.”
“The fact that we now have a case, needless to say, an imported case, it does elevate the concerns as it relates to public gathering,” he added.
The fast-spreading coronavirus (COVID-19) is affecting international sports events around the globe. Several sporting events have been cancelled or postponed.
Dr Warren Blake, president of the Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA), on Sunday, said its possible this year’s Boys and Girls Athletics Championships, Champs, could be held without spectators.
“If it comes before these events, the health authorities will have to sit down, look at the number of cases, where they are, and take the serious decision whether to allow a crowd like the size of Champs to come together, to put 35,000 people into our National Stadium when some of them might be infected,” Blake told Trackalerts.com.
Jamaica has since confirmed one case.
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@Nicardo Arsenal Beckford but even with no spectators the kids interact with each other. Still the likelihood of spreading.
No spectators…these athletes train too hard to be left disappointed
Keep it without the spectators these kids trained for months just for this
As much as how I would love for it to keep our health comes first. Cancel it until it’s safe for a mass gathering.
Cancel all large gatherings, it’s that simple!!!
Wey kind of decisions need to be made..
We have to do what is best in the interest of the country and the people.
Postpone it until further notice.
@Muggie Thebuilder Kat, you also have to look at it from the standpoint of it being an opportunity for athletes to showcase their talents, to different college and university recruiters.
@Everton S. Jackson the effort and swag wouldn’t be there, the athletes put in extra effort for a the crowd.
Buy my ticket already ??
Unnu better cancel dis rhatid now.
Call it off or no spectators
Just call it off n done
Possibly a postponement
Do not cancel champs must go on
So wait deh …who a go take part ? Spectators or no spectators now that it is here isn’t everyone a potential carrier?
Better none nuh keep prevention better than cure , stay home guys
Why wouldn’t champs be held. Even if it means no spectators it should still be held.
There’ll be no champs this year
Call it off better to be safe than sorry call it off public is at risk at this time
Champs can’t go on without spectators as spectators is what makes champs. So cancel it till a later date to avoid any outbreak
We have to do what is best in the interest of the country and the people.
@Michael Lindo and the airports too
If they Cancel Champs will they also shut down the schools and Colleges,where thousands interact
Money first for ISSA
To how ISSA love money, I bet they going to put up a hard end.
Safety precautions first, over money!!