Chin outlines Jamaica Open COVID-19 protocols
Published:Monday | November 16, 2020 | 12:13 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
Jamaica Golf Association President Peter Chin says the already established COVID-19 safety protocols by the Government, for tourist staying at local hotels, will be the guidelines under which the Jamaica Open Golf tournament will be operated when the championship is held at the Tryall Club from December 12-15.
One of the concerns for enquiring participants is the period of quarantine they will have to undergo prior to the start of the tournament.
But Chin explained that international competitors would not face a quarantine period as while the Ministry of Health and Wellness requires tourists to do a COVID-19 test, the only other requirement is to not leave their hotel. He said that participants would stay within the confines of the Grand Palladium Jamaica Resort and Spa and Tryall during their stay and only travel to the golf course and back until their departure.
“Most of them wanted to know what the arrangement was before because a lot of them want to come and play for the money, but the consideration is being made with COVID-19 protocols,” Chin said.
“But there are certain protocols for people who are visiting the island. The pros coming from offshore will have to follow those, and we are working with the Ministry of Health and the Tourist board to make sure that whatever is required will be done.
“Tourists are treated a bit differently. We know how the tourist thing operates, and we are using the same template. When a tourist comes to Jamaica, he can only go to the hotel from the airport. He cannot come off the property, and he has to go back to the airport.
“So that is the bubble they will operate in. Our plan is that all players have to stay at Tryall or Grand Palladium. So the bubble is going to be airport to hotel, hotel to the golf course, back to the hotel, and then back to the airport.”
POSSIBLE EXPULSION
Chin said any participants caught breaching this protocol could face expulsion from the tournament.
“A person who is playing is not supposed to leave the bubble,” he said. “If they go to Montego Bay on their own, that means they violate the bubble. But most are coming, not for holiday. They are coming here to play for money, so we expect everyone to operate by the government guidelines and stay in the bubble at that time.”
Chin says that in recent weeks, enquiries have increased, and he expects entries to rise by early December.
“We started seeing entries and people paying entry fees,” he said. “So interest is high. Most of the flurry of activities usually happens two or three weeks before the event, so in late November is when you start seeing a high level of entries. So we are on track. Things are going as well as possible under the circumstances.”