The Tokyo Olympics, which were held off for a year owing to the COVID-19 outbreak, will now be hosted by Japan from July 23 to August 8 this year.
Around 200 nations and 10 thousand athletes are expected to assemble in Japan for the Games amidst the extended pandemic.
The Japanese federal government has actually validated that COVID-19 vaccination will not be compulsory for Olympic participants as there suffice procedures in location.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) earlier stated that while vaccination will not be compulsory for professional athletes taking part in the Games, it is encouraging them to get vaccine shots in their countries, if they are available.
Several neighboring nations such as Singapore and Malaysia are preparing to inoculate Olympic athletes.
A total of 264 athletes and officials, who will be representing Malaysia in worldwide competitions ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in July this year, are anticipated to get their COVID-19 vaccine jabs beginning April, 2021, Bernama reported.
In Jakarta, at least 820 professional athletes, coaches, and support staff from 40 branches of sports have actually been administered the COVID-19 vaccine as part of the first stage of the immunization program, which is targeting at least 5,000 professional athletes, at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on February 26, 2021.
Related news: Athletes taking part in sports competitors to be immunized initially
Professional athletes who were the first to get vaccine shots included those set up to contend in nationwide and global sports events, including the Tokyo Olympics, SEA Games, the All England Open, along with the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Cup football match scheduled in March this year.
Vice President Ma’ ruf Amin and Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali experienced the launch of the vaccination campaign for prioritized athletes.
” Today’s vaccines take precedence for those who are in the nationwide training team or those who are preparing for competition activities in the near future, such as preparing for the Tokyo Olympics and the SEA Games,” the minister notified.
The professional athletes receiving the very first vaccine shots came from various branches of sports such as badminton, football, weightlifting, sports, swimming, basketball, bicycle racing, besides the National Paralympic Committee (NPC).
The vaccine is anticipated to provide protection to professional athletes and coaches, and increase their confidence in the existing pandemic scenario.
The federal government is targeting around five thousand athletes, sport authorities, and assistance workers in the first phase of the COVID-19 vaccination program for sportsmen.
Vaccinations for professional athletes living outside Jakarta will be collaborated with the Ministry of Health and local health workplaces
” Later, we will also broaden to our athletes in 34 provinces who are presently preparing for the National Sports Week (PON),” Zainudin stated.
The PON, which was set up to be held in 2015 and needed to be postponed due to the pandemic, will be organized in Papua province from October 2-13, 2021.
Meanwhile, Vice President Amin said he is positive that athletes participating in the inaugural vaccination campaign are physically strong and healthy, so they can motivate other individuals to get vaccinated.
” The vaccination of professional athletes is necessary. It is likewise a priority, particularly for those, who will take part in several events, both domestic and worldwide. Thus, we need to prepare them, so that they are fit and do not miss out on the competitors owing to being exposed to COVID-19,” he mentioned while experiencing the inaugural vaccination campaign for professional athletes.
The Indonesian government has presented the nationwide vaccination project because January 13, 2021, with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) receiving the first jab of the vaccine produced by China’s Sinovac.
The vaccination program aims to inoculate 181.5 million individuals to obtain herd resistance in Indonesia.
President Widodo has asked the Health Ministry to finish the vaccination program in Indonesia within a year from January 13, 2021.
An overall of 1,363,138 Indonesians have actually been vaccinated against COVID-19 since February 24, 2021, with 825,650 individuals getting their second vaccine dosage, too, the Health Ministry mentioned.
The 1,363,138 Indonesians mainly make up healthcare employees, prioritized under the very first phase of the vaccination program, and civil service officers, who are being vaccinated under the second phase of the program.
Widodo cautioned that in spite of the vaccination program, the general public needs to continue to adhere to the health procedures of wearing masks, keeping physical distancing, and cleaning hands with soap.
The president has also issued a brand-new Presidential Regulation (No. 14 of 2021) that makes it compulsory for people qualified for the COVID-19 vaccine to get inoculated.
On February 25, 2021, Widodo witnessed the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine to reporters in Jakarta.
During the celebration event of National Press Day at the State Palace on February 9, 2021, the President had actually promised to accord top priority to the vaccination of journalists.
He had actually highlighted the requirement for reporters to receive the COVID-19 shot on account of their routine interactions with people, specifically informants, during the course of their tasks.
We hope (the vaccination) will secure journalists, who frequently interact with the public and informants (from being exposed to the coronavirus),” he mentioned. (INE)
Related news: Athletes from 40 branches of sports get COVID jab
Associated news: COVID-19: Over 2.4 million Indonesians immunized so far
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