Team PNG vaccination mandatory, says Rapilla

THE Papua New Guinea Olympic Committee says Coronavirus vaccination is now mandatory for athletes and officials who are vying for representative duties abroad under Team PNG.
The committee passed the resolution for the upcoming Pacific Mini Games, Commonwealth Games, Pacific Games and the Olympic Games.
Committee secretary-general Mrs Auvita Rapilla said it was important in not only safeguarding athletes and officials, but also to meet international travel requirements for Games and to enter other countries.
“We understand that it is an individual’s decision to be vaccinated,” she said.
“But to travel internationally, you will need to be vaccinated to enter other countries.” Rapilla said with vaccination was mandatory, there were exceptions based on an individual being given exemption from an approved authority.
The policy covers the 2022 Pacific Mini Games, 2022 Commonwealth Games, 2022 Asian Games, 2023 Pacific Games and the 2024 Olympic Games.
In addition, team officials are required to complete online training, including anti-doping, athlete safeguarding, prevention of competition manipulation and Oceania Sport Education Programme training for coaches and team managers.
The committee said it would finalise the endorsement of national federations’ selection policies.
“The committee will also be working closely with the recently-appointed chief medical officers for the respective Games to arrange awareness sessions with targeted athletes and officials for Team PNG around vaccination,” it said.