The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
THE Premier Soccer League’s medical committee has lauded the top clubs for embracing the on-going Covid-19 vaccination exercise and believe it is a show of the Premiership’s commitment to religiously follow the prevention measures against the spread of the pandemic that has grounded the local game for over a year.
Giants Dynamos and Highlanders, Black Rhinos lead the list of teams that have already had their players and staff vaccinated with plans underway for CAPS United to follow suit this week.
PSL communications officer spokesperson Kudzai Bare has praised the clubs for joining in the fight against Covid-19.
“It is a good initiative that is being undertaken by the clubs, as PSL we had planned to have the players vaccinated, but they have already started to do it voluntarily, this is a commendable thing being done by the clubs,” said Bare.
With most teams recording an encouraging clean bill of health during the Covid-19 tests that preceded the resumption of group trainings by clubs last week, PSL medical committee chairperson, Nicholas Munyonga, also lauded the clubs that have taken up the vaccinations.
“Vaccinations are important as guided by the National Vaccination Roll out implementation plan and we applaud clubs who are heeding the call,” said Munyonga.
As preparations for the start of the football season in May continue to be stepped up, Munyonga also called on the clubs to abide by the Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.
“The clean bill of health is consistent with the country’s epidemic curve where generally we are experiencing low numbers but we must remain vigilant.
“The next most important aspect now is for the clubs to test every 14-days during the pre-season and a minimum 48 hours before matches friendly or competitive.
“Observing all protocols and guidelines as given for the general population and for specific football environments is key in preventing getting cases amongst the football family,” he said.
Although the clubs have embraced the vaccination programme rolled out by the government, Munyonga said it was imperative that players, coaches and the football family do not let their guard down, urging them to “continue playing it safe with the pandemic as the vaccines do not completely rule out infection.
“Vaccines help prevent severe disease and hospitalisations. They don’t prevent one from getting infected so it is important for the football family to know that the religious implementation of prevention guidelines and protocols including testing is important even after vaccination,” he said.
