Jersey jabs to get Lions over the vaccine line

Wednesday 16 June 2021

Some of the visiting British and Irish Lions squad received their second dose of the covid vaccine in Jersey yesterday afternoon.

The remainder of the team are scheduled to have their second jab next week, meaning the whole team will be fully inoculated ahead of their match in Japan.

A Government spokesperson said yesterday: "Both vaccination sessions will be held late in the afternoon to enable them to be completed separately from the public, and without affecting the number of vaccinations that it will be possible to complete during the standard day.

"Jersey receives all its vaccinations from the UK as part of the national vaccination programme, and has a reciprocal arrangement with the UK for the vaccination of UK residents who are visiting the Island for work, and for Jersey residents who are in the UK.

"The vaccination programme will not change rigorous safeguards that are in place for the Lions during the training camp: the players and coaching staff remain in a workplace bubble, undertake regular PCR tests per week to enable early detection and home-isolation, as well as daily symptom screening and temperature checks."

The Lions arrived in Jersey over the weekend to a roaring welcome from schoolchildren and fans.

They're here until near the end of the month for a training camp, mostly based at new St. Peter facility Strive, ahead of their South Africa tour. Some of those sessions will be open to the public to watch. 

Great morning of training done

Lift big, run fast, recover actively*

*Including Cryotherapy ????????#LionsRugby pic.twitter.com/CjBeOoK3fR

— British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) June 14, 2021

Yesterday, they were joined by UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden and Irish Ambassador Adrian O'Neill, who were taking a tour of the island's sports facilities and learning about the island's IT infrastructure.

The elite rugby team will equally be making time to meet local schoolchildren and enjoy some of Jersey's sights. 

Last night, they took part in a fundraising dinner at the Royal Jersey Showground to raise money to help Jersey youngsters into sport. 

Very pleased to welcome the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport @OliverDowden and Irish Ambassador @AdrianGONeill to #JerseyCI today. Delighted they’ve come to support @lionsofficial and view some of the excellent sporting facilities we have in our Island.

— John Le Fondre (@John_Le_Fondre) June 15, 2021

Throughout the visit, the Lion pack will be acting as a ‘bubble’ to “protect themselves, islanders and other visitors.” Islanders have been asked by the Government to resist the temptation for selfies and autographs, and maintain physical distancing "at all times" when near them.