The PGA Tour is strongly encouraging its gamers and caddies to get COVID-19 vaccines, sending a memo Monday that outlined the way it will finally cease on-site testing whereas additionally making an attempt to debunk among the myths related to the photographs.
Within the memo obtained by ESPN, the tour mentioned whereas it won’t mandate vaccination, it should require those that don’t get the photographs to nonetheless be examined every week for COVID-19 inside 72 hours of arrival on-site and at their very own expense. Those that check constructive for COVID-19 might be required to withdraw and be topic to contact tracing and quarantine procedures.
Included was a set of speaking factors to guarantee gamers that the vaccines are secure.
Among the many highlights:
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“The COVID 19 vaccine has been administered to over 700 million individuals worldwide. There have been only a few vital unwanted side effects reported. As soon as a vaccine is permitted to be used, monitoring continues with techniques in place to trace issues or unwanted side effects that weren’t detected in scientific trials.”
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“There are widespread misconceptions and issues about infertility, altering DNA, microchipping, turning into contaminated with COVID because of the COVID 19 vaccine. These misconceptions and issues are false.”
There clearly has been some pushback from gamers about getting the vaccines. The tour started a weekly testing program final June when it returned to play after a 13-week break because of the pandemic.
Gamers and caddies have been required to be examined on-site every week, with some tweaks made alongside the way in which. Those that don’t play a event are required to be examined at house earlier than touring and once more upon arrival.
On the whole, the system has labored effectively for the PGA Tour, which has reported fewer than 30 on-site COVID constructive exams over the previous 10 months. The final reported constructive instances occurred on the Honda Traditional final month.
“I’ve had 60-plus exams, all unfavourable,” mentioned one veteran PGA Tour participant who wished to not be recognized. “My caddie and I’ve been via each airport, public transportation, you identify it, with out getting COVID. However the tour goes to make it a ache for us if we do not take it. They don’t seem to be forcing you, however it is going to be a ache when you do not.”
The participant mentioned he can be extra receptive to getting a shot if it’s the Johnson & Johnson model, which has been placed on maintain by the Facilities for Illness Management. The vaccine requires only one shot, and a few gamers are leery of potential unwanted side effects related to two doses and the way which may affect their enjoying schedule.
The tour mentioned it should take into account anybody absolutely vaccinated 14 days after getting the two-shot vaccines (Pfizer and Moderna) in addition to the one-shot Johnson & Johnson. For gamers who reside in international locations the place the AstraZeneca vaccine is allowed, that may also be accepted.
In keeping with the memo, the tour has a system by which verification could be uploaded to a well being account.
The tour mentioned on-site testing will stop on the finish of June, which seemingly means the Vacationers Championship (June 24-27) or the Rocket Mortgage Traditional (July 1-Four) would be the start line for the brand new program.
Though face coverings will nonetheless be required at tour occasions indoors, the tour mentioned within the memo that “in accordance with CDC pointers, absolutely vaccinated people might collect in small teams with out face coverings.”