JPL prepared for possible COVID-19 fourth wave – PFJ

Professional Football Jamaica (PFJ) Chairman Christopher Williams says he is not worried that the next season of the Jamaica Premier League will have a delayed start.

This is in light of the Government's warnings about a possible fourth wave of COVID-19 this holiday season, and the spread of the Omicron variant of the virus globally.

However, even if there is a fourth wave to contend with, Williams says they are prepared.

He says that the PFJ has implemented two key measures that should prepare them in case of a spike in local cases.

"One is that we are operating on a fully vaccinated protocol," Williams told STAR Sports. "So there is no opportunity to participate in the league in any capacity unless you are fully vaccinated.

"Players, staff, coaches, spectators, everybody has to be fully vaccinated to enter a Premier League ground.

"We will not allow any flexibility in the vaccination status. We will be very strict with that.

"So unlike global leagues, we are not going into our league with any flexibility on the vaccination protocol.

"But as it stands, Jamaica is not in any outbreak. Things are quite stable, so we do not anticipate any delays."

Williams says that the league is close to full vaccination, as most of the clubs are fully vaccinated, and that the second measure regards the league's fixtures.

"We also have built in sufficient wiggle room in the fixtures to facilitate any disturbance as a result of a fourth wave," he said.

"That wiggle room is essentially midweek games. It is not a position we would want to implement, but we have it.

"The plan is to play on weekends only, but we do have the wiggle room in the event of a significant fourth wave and we have to pause and then resume. We would utilise midweek games in an effort to catch up.

"So we are being proactive by implementing the league on a fully vaccinated basis and we feel we are prepared for a fourth wave with these two measures," he commented.

Williams says that PFJ is still in discussion with the Government to finalise the league's approval, which he hopes will come as a Christmas gift.

"We have not yet received approval from ODPEM (Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management)," he said. "So the start of the league is still dependent on government approval.

"We are still in discussions on protocols and approving the venues. So what we have now is a tentative starting date.

"But we do not anticipate any huge challenges because of our fully vaccinated approach, because Jamaica is doing well and because we managed the 2020-21 season well and the Government was happy with us.

"So I am hoping for a good Christmas present from ODPEM for the approval of the start of the league."