Tufton warns athletes - Health minister encourages travel caution as coronavirus continues to spread

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton says national sporting associations as well as individual athletes should seek advice from the ministry before travelling overseas to the countries that have been affected by the deadly, new Coronavirus.

This summer’s Olympic Games has already been cast into doubt, with several other sporting events either being cancelled or postponed as the virus continues to create havoc across the globe with approximately 95,000 confirmed cases and over 3,200 deaths recorded up to yesterday.

Jamaica has so far not registered a case and has employed several measures such as restricting travel to some affected areas to safeguard against the virus.

However, with a number of the country’s top track and field athletes expected to compete on the Diamond League circuit, which has meets in Europe, Asia, and North America, including stops in several countries that have been seriously affected by the virus and other sporting figures expected to travel and compete extensively this year, Tufton is urging caution.

‘Check with the ministry’

“First thing I would say is that they (athletes) need to check with the ministry to get any additional information on the place that they are going, what the status of the virus in those jurisdictions is and maybe some advice on the precautions that they would need to take,” said Tufton.

Swimming star Alia Atkinson, Jamaica’s senior men’s football team, and several other Jamaican sporting personalities have scheduled competition in affected areas, while others also live and compete in countries affected by the coronavirus.

Tufton advised athletes to contact the ministry before making any arrangements for overseas travel.

“I think it is important (that athletes contact the ministry) because every day it (coronavirus) changes,” he added. “The risk is changing every day in different countries, and so it is best at the point of deciding to travel to check for that advisory and in closer to leaving, you check and get some additional information.

“There is nothing (vaccine) available right now to prevent them from catching the virus … just observe some critical protocol, like where you go, how you are exposed and countries that are taking precautions then, you work with those countries,” said Tufton.

Meanwhile, Jamaica Olympic Association president Christopher Samuda says they will re-evaluate the country’s participation in the Olympics in April.