In an effort to realise the resumption of motor sport as ‘quickly as possible’ the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club (GMR&SC) has forged a partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the National COVID-19 Task Force (NCTF) to host a vaccination drive that ensures the various available vaccines are readily accessible to its members.
An inspection by the NCTF of the GT Motorsports building located at the club’s Albert Street and Thomas Lands location on Tuesday also reported approval from the NCTF was given for the hosting of the vaccination drive. The vaccination drive will be held on Saturday commencing from 9 am and concluding at 3 pm. GMR&SC President Rameez Mohammed in an invited comment said, “We want to urge all our drivers and riders and even marshals and club members who haven’t been vaccinated as yet to come out and get at least your first doses.”
Organised by committee member Nyron Maraj and Club captain Neilon Dias, the drive is expected to pave the way for the resumption of racing. “Our plan moving forward is to get vaccinated in order to resume racing. There is no running from it. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we can have a footing with which to approach the Task Force (for approval) for events,” Maraj said after Tuesday’s inspection. He added, “It isn’t only for the drivers; it’s for the mechanics, the team managers, the support staff and even the marshals, media and eventually spectators (when the club is allowed re-entry of such). At the end of the day, we have to protect ourselves and restart racing.”
Club captain Dias said “The drive also gives those unvaccinated persons a chance to get vaccinated so they cannot claim they had no chance to get vaccinated. We brought it almost to their doorsteps”.
According to the Ministry of Health, the drive will feature the first dose of the Sputnik V as well as both doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca and the Sinopharm options. Persons are reminded that they must take along a valid form of identification and for those taking the second doses, their vaccination card issued when the first dose was administered. The club office will also be open on Saturday to facilitate any questions members may have.
