Strict sanitisation protocols for All Comers meets

Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president Dr Warren Blake says that the federation stands ready to foot the bill of the increased price of hosting the All Comers meets amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Blake told STAR Sports that the JAAA will host a series of its All Comers meets to assist in the preparation of local-based Jamaican athletes who are looking to take part in the World Athletics Diamond League series this summer.

But, as is proposed by the medical committee of the JAAA, meet organisers would have to find additional funding to facilitate the new health protocols that must be observed during the pandemic.

The protocols include the frequent sanitisation of equipment such as starting blocks to prevent the spread of the virus.

"For the All Comers meets, we will have to pay the additional cost to host the meets and we are prepared to do so," Blake explained. "Meet organisers who are looking to have meets from now on will have to observe these protocols and they will have to get the necessary things for the sanitisation of the equipment."

Blake has sent out a draft of the protocols to coaches and other stakeholders for their input.

JAAA's proposed COVID 19 protocols:

Stakeholders will have to be made to understand that they participate in meets at their own risk. Athletes should sign an indemnity agreement releasing meet organisers from any responsibility associated with contracting COVID-19.

Main stakeholders considered;

* Professional athletes.

* Athletes' staff: coaches, managers, physiotherapists etcetera.

* Event technical officials.

* Event volunteers and workforce (sponsors and partners, timing and accreditation systems, security, and stadium support services).

* Event medical and anti-doping staffs.

* Media and broadcasters.

* Attending spectators. (Will be governed by public health regulations and guidelines. The World Health Organisation risk assessment tools for mass gatherings should be used).

Risk assessment to be conducted for all accredited attendants. If individuals are deemed to be at greater than normal risk, they should undergo a medical clearance protocol. A medical doctor or public health specialist needs to be assigned to do COVID-19 prevention. This person is to be responsible for risk assessment and mitigation.

At the stadium

* Spectators and accredited personnel should be kept separate. With separate entrances, two separate flows.

* Everyone in the stadium to wear masks at all times and in all locations. Athletes exempt when warming up or competing.

* Accredited personnel must have on masks and have personal hand sanitisers to enter field of play. Personal kit should include masks and hand sanitiser gel.

* Warm-up zones to be in open-air zones with restricted access.

* Chairs in call rooms to be disinfected between each use.

In competition

* Minimise number of people on field of play. Essential personnel only.

* Protective glasses/face shields and masks for officials having close contact with athletes.

* No hugging after races. Keep distance from the public and officials where possible.

* Equipment guidelines

* Clean starting blocks between each race.

* Clean relay batons after each use.

* Athletes to use hand sanitisers before each attempt in vertical jumps.

* Landing mats to be cleaned after each jump.

* Mix sand in jumping pits with virucidal agent.

* Add chlorine to steeplechase water jump.

* Clean throwing implements after each use.

* Officials handling throwing implements to clean hands after each handling.

* Recovery areas for athletes should be open air.