The Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) says it will be fully compliant with regards to the ‘COVID-19 Return To Play Guidelines’ set out by the governing body, World Rugby.
According to the 29 Page pdf document on www.worldrugby.org, the guidelines which aligns with the World Health Organisation (WHO) will be used to facilitate the safe return of rugby activities, the union stated.
Following consultation with union chief medical officers, competition owners and players, the guidelines are intended to assist unions and clubs in creating a framework and policy for return to rugby activity within their respective jurisdictions.
It is underscored in the document that unions and organisers of rugby events, will however, have to comply with local laws and policies implemented by their respective governments and local authorities in relation to pandemic, including social distancing and travel measures.
Said President of the union, Ryan Dey yesterday, “As the document said it’s based on how relaxed the country’s rules are as it relates to social distancing. We will not be returning to play until the restrictions have been uplifted by the government. Moreover, the only ground that rugby is being played on is in the National Park which is currently closed due to the virus.”
Dey highlighted that he fully supports the initiative which puts the safety of players, officials and fans of rugby first.
World Rugby’s guidelines consists of two core sections containing important information.
The first section provides safety information to everyone involved in the game including players, coaches, support and administrative staff.
The second section provides a framework around which national unions can prepare best-practice policies and guidelines for return to activity that are appropriate to their local setting, complying with national guidelines on social distancing and travel restrictions. The guidelines, which are WHO compliant, outlines three dedicated time-bound return-to-training phases – small group training, full group non-contact training and full contact training. It also documents the environment for returning to match action in a domestic, cross-border and cross-continent context and processes for facility and stadium. World Rugby also stresses that, as a live document operation in a dynamic pandemic context, it will be updated regularly with unions informed of any modifications. Further language versions will be available shortly.
Note: The document does not state that matches will have to be played behind closed doors until a vaccine is available – the strategy will be determined by the respective national government directives.
The guidelines were authored by Falvey, Dr Martin Raftery (World Rugby), Prav Mathema (Welsh Rugby Union), Prof Mary Horgan (consultant physician of infectious diseases) and supported by data collected through regional COVID-19 steering group chairs who consulted with World Rugby’s 124 national member unions.
