Mandatory COVID-19 Testing for Professional Athletes

Kevin Bernard

The Ministry of Sports will be requiring that professional athletes be tested for COVID-19 before practice.  Minister Kevin Bernard explains how often these tests must be carried out, and how the government’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan comes into play.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Youth, Sports and E-Governance

“One of the requirements for professional athletes is that you need to be tested before you practice. That is one of the recommendations coming from the Ministry of Health, and we support the decision because we want to make sure that people understand we are trying to protect them and keep the numbers done in terms of the COVID cases we have in the country.”

Paul Lopez

“How often do these teams and organization have to test their players? Is it before each and every practice?”

Kevin Bernard

“I do not think so. I think that what the Ministry of Health is saying that they need to be tested and then regular checks will be done. However, we are hoping that by the time we complete the first three months, our athletes can be vaccinated. And that is one of the things we are asking as well from the Ministry of Sports, that we allow our athletes, especially our professional athletes who have to go out, to get vaccinated. Give them the opportunity to go and be vaccinated. And then gradually as the phases start to open up in terms of vaccinations, then we start to see more and more of our athletes being vaccinated.”