WRC Safari Rally Kenya organisers believe the vaccination campaign for competitors and officials will go a long way in bolstering the much- needed confidence of visiting teams.
Safari CEO Phineas Kimathi remarked that adherence to the Ministry of Health protocols and those set by Appendix S (FIA's COVID-19 Code of Conduct) will mitigate the risks of transmissions that may arise during the staging of the ARC Equator Rally in late April and WRC Safari Rally in June.
In line with Appendix S, officials and competitors got their initial COVID-19 jab well in time for the upcoming two events.
The exercise facilitated by the Ministry of Health and coordinated by Ministry of Sports took place outside the WRC Safari Rally secretariat at Kasarani Stadium where several officials including Stage Commanders, Controllers, HODs, a group of the sports media personalities and KMSF Competition Licence Holders were vaccinated for COVID-19.
Among senior officials who got vaccinated in the exercise were Safari's Chief Safety Officer Noriss Ongalo, Clerk of the Course Gurvir Bhabra, Service Park Manager Anthony Gatei and Media Director Peter Njenga.
Safari Rally CEO Phineas Kimathi speaking during the vaccination campaign said: "The vaccination has kicked off very well. First and foremost, I would like to thank the Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Culture and Heritage Ambassador Amina Mohammed who has coordinated this exercise from her office and personally taken the initiative to launch the campaign.”
“We are here vaccinating all officials of the Safari Rally. As you very well know, the ARC Equator Rally is coming up in two and half weeks and it will act as a dry run of the WRC Safari Rally Kenya which returns to the global series after a 19 years hiatus. So we are quite excited about this exercise."
CS Amina was represented by Rose Wacuka, Chief of Staff in the Sports Ministry.
Wacuka on her part, said: "This exercise began on Thursday and is intended to keep the athletes safe as well as make sure they get the necessary COVID-19 protection because a lot of international organisers are insisting on vacations."
FIA’s Appendix S – a COVID-19 Code of Conduct that was approved by the World Motor Sport Council and grew out of FIA Medical Commission president, Professor Gérard Saillant initial ‘Return to Motor Sport’ guidelines..
The application of Appendix S, was outlined: “Specifically with regard to the resumption of the FIA Formula 1 World Championship and other championships and International Series taking place at the same events (such as the FIA Formula 2, FIA Formula 3 Championship and Porsche Supercup), the Council approved the addition of Appendix S.