Fans welcome ‘no jab, no matches’ drive ahead of BT derby
Football fans have welcomed Presidential Task Force on Covid-19’s directive that only those that have been fully vaccinated can watch matches, starting with tomorrow’s Blantyre derby between rivals Nyasa Big Bullets and Mighty Wanderers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre.
The Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 announced the easing of the Covid-19 restrictions in football two days before the country’s most anticipated TNM Super League fixture between the Blantyre rivals, who drew one-all in an abandoned first round fixture.
Fans have since welcomed the move.
“I got my jab and I am ready to go and watch the match. I can’t miss the Blantyre Derby,” said a Cholomoni-based Wanderers fan Yokoniya Chibwe.
The Nomads fan urged those that have not been vaccinated to get the jab.
“Let’s get vaccinated so that we protect ourselves and others. The good thing is that at the same time, it will also enable us to watch matches,” he said.
Ndirande-based Bullets fan Frank Msiska also said he was looking forward to cheering his club.
He said: “It does not even take long to get a jab. It’s a fair deal to me. If you really are a true football fan, then get vaccinated to watch the
match.”
Government spokesperson Gospel Kazako on Thursday during daily update on the pandemic said the easing of the restrictions follows a request by Super League of Malawi (Sulom).
Kazako said though the country is still under level 2 of Covid-19, the task force felt it wise to ease the restrictions at sports events.
Sulom president Tiya Somba-Banda thanked the task force for considering the league runners’ request.
He said: “This is a huge step in ensuring that fans return to matches.”
“What will happen is that those that are fully vaccinated will have to bring their vaccination cards for them to be allowed entry into matches”
Banda said Sulom has also engaged health personnel to set up mobile vaccination booths at match venues.
“So if you are not vaccinated, you can still come to the match venue, get vaccinated and then be allowed into the stadium to watch the matches.”
However, Banda said fans will have to continue observing the precautionary measures.
He said: “Patrons will be expected to continue observing social distancing, sanitising and wearing of masks.”
