Clubs encourage but do not enforce COVID-19 protocol

With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in the island reaching 44, Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) clubs continue to educate, encourage, and place emphasis on the importance of social distancing and proper hygiene.

But although clubs monitor and keep updated on their players' whereabouts and activities, none we made contact with have enforced any restrictions or fines on their players for the period.

Chairman of Arnett Gardens Mark Golding and Cavalier president Rudolph Speid said their clubs use WhatsApp groups to manage and communicate with players. However, both teams face a different reality as Cavalier's team consists of many teenagers still residing with parents, so most of Speid's players are under some parental supervision.

On the other hand, the Arnett Gardens squad has mainly senior players with their families, some of whom live in the inner-city community, where it is not so easy to practise social distancing. But Golding says they have used all platforms to ensure that members of the community and football team are reminded of the importance of proper hygiene and social distancing.

"We are not there watching them at nights. They know we are discouraging social interaction and everybody 'must tan a dem yaad'. That is the basic message we have been sending. The message is out there, right across the constituency people know, but sometimes it's very difficult in urban areas, especially densely populated areas, to practise social distancing fully. But we still try and get them to do as much as they can," Golding said.

We discontinued training

"We have a WhatsApp group for the players and management, and we communicate with them through that. We want to encourage social distancing as much as possible, so we are not training as a group, but they are encouraged to do their own training. The fact that we discontinued training, I think, was a strong message that we are taking this thing seriously, and the same message I give to them (players), I give to everybody else, and I hope they are abiding by it," the St Andrew Southern Member of Parliament added.

Speid said they use their Whatsapp group to communicate and give safety tips. But although players are given strict instructions on how to stay safe, he says it's very difficult to keep track of all players.

"We tell them what they are supposed to do, and they are doing what they are supposed to do. You can't monitor them all, but we know who are following the instructions," he said. "We have an idea of the players that listen. Some of them are under parental control, but some of them you can't swear for. But the majority of them are staying home and trying to train as much as they can," he said.

Meanwhile David Galloway, the Mount Pleasant manager, said that although they also check in on their players daily, it is really up to them to follow the guidelines issued to keep themselves and their families safe from the coronavirus.

"We did (have educational sessions with players). We told them to just practise proper hygiene, follow the protocols, and keep themselves safe. We encourage them to do the right things, but people will find themselves in the wrong line at times. But if you want good, your nose have to run, so they just have to adhere to that. But we call on a regular basis and get information on what is going on with them," he said.