Copa América: Players to be tested for COVID-19 every 48 hours

Brazil’s Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said Monday (Jun. 7) that the sanitary security protocol for the CONMEBOL Copa América will include molecular tests for COVID-19 on athletes every 48 hours.

Brazil granted the request made by the South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) to host the tournament, after Colombia and Argentina gave up hosting the competition, which should being on June 13 and end on July 10.

The championship will comprise ten teams, which may include up to 65 people. Altogether, 28 matches will be held. Team members will stay in individual bedrooms on an isolated hotel floor with restricted circulation outside of premises.

“There is no legal or sanitary obstacle for having this event held in Brazil,” said Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga. He reiterated that the country has been hosting other sports competitions with sanitary security, like the Copa Libertadores, the South American Cup, the Brazilian Championship, and state championships.

Also according to the minister, all athletes have health insurance, and, if they need medical attention, they will be sent to a private hospital. He also stated no exclusive vaccination scheme will be mounted for Copa América players.

“If we vaccinate athletes at this moment, they would not have the immunity at the time of the championship,” he stated. “The vaccine is no imposition. Those who have been vaccinated, great, but no effort will be made to vaccinate them now because a vaccine could prompt a reaction that could make their participation [in the tournament] impossible,” he added.