Kenya Seven players warned against using gyms and public facility

Shujaa coach Paul Feeney gestures during training at the RFUEA grounds ahead of the Los Angeles and Vancouver Sevens. Feb 20, 2020. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

In a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic that has ravaged the world, the Kenya Rugby (KRU) has directed Kenya Sevens rugby team players to self-quarantine barely 10 days after the team arrived from Canada.

Shujaa jetted back on March 10 after participating in the fifth and sixth legs of the 2019/2020 World Rugby Sevens Series in Los Angeles (USA) and Vancouver (Canada).

The 12th placed former Singapore Sevens champions garnered a paltry nine points from the last two legs to take their season tally to 35.

And as the country continues to grapple with the virus that has seen the government announce seven confirmed cases in the last one week after implementing a one-month widespread suspension of public gatherings, KRU has adhered to the latest directive on self-quarantine.

This comes barely four days after Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed ordered all sportspersons, including coaches and teams’ support personnel, who have travelled outside the country in the past 14 days, to immediately self-quarantine for 14 two weeks.

And in a statement signed by KRU’s Director of Rugby Thomas Odundo, the union has designed a raft of measures aimed at curbing the spread of the virus that has brought the sporting events across the world to its knees.

“The Kenya 7s Team that recently returned from Los Angeles and Vancouver is advised to self-quarantine for 14 days from their arrival on March 10.  Should they exhibit any symptoms, they are to contact the KRU medical team immediately and/or report to the Kenyatta National Hospital,” read part of the statement.

“Whereas sport in general is not banned, no team training will occur in the meantime, both at club and national team level. Should there be any team activity, players and officials are urged to practice social distancing in all activities, i.e. maintain a distance of 2m from other persons and avoid physical contact. “

“There should be adequate soap, water and sanitisers available for frequent hand-washing as well.”

The statement added: “Should any contact training take place – regular testing is required, virtually daily, an unlikely situation and hence discouraged.”

Though the sport has not been banned, the union warned the players against using any gym or public facility during the break. 

“Coaches are encouraged to send out individualised programs to their players. These may mainly be conditioning and personal skills programs. Players are advised against using any gym or other public facility,” the union said.

“Should anybody, whether training or not, exhibit any of the classic symptoms, they should contact the nearest health facility or the Kenya Rugby Union for advice.”