Council chairman Veratau confident Games will take place despite Covid-19 doubts

By ROBINSON LEKA
THE Papua New Guinea Games Council says it is prepared to move ahead with the eighth edition of the event next year despite doubts due to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
Council chairman and PNG Sports Foundation executive director Albert Veratau said there was a Covid-19 plan in place to ensure that the Games would go ahead in Mendi, Southern Highlands.
He said the foundation’s pandemic management committee, under Dr Kapua Kapua, would introduce safety measures for the Games which were scheduled to take place between November and December.
“We have a Covid-19 plan that encompasses every aspect of the protocols and the Niupela Pasin,” Veratau said. “ Dr Kapua is putting together a Covid-19 plan for the Games.
“There are a number of options they can take in order to continue to host the Games.
“It’s a massive logistical exercise but Dr Kapua and the team have simulated every aspect of it in case something happens.
“They’ve asked ‘what if’ questions because the event is big and can potentially be a super spreader.
“We’ve made sure that there is a lot of thinking gone into the Covid-19 plan.”