Currently, it looks as though New Zealand has eliminated Covid-19. We’ve shut our borders and the world is in envy. Now, we are in a state of physical isolation from the rest of the world, though we may see our bubble extended to include Australia and eventually maybe some of the Pacific Islands.
This situation will be a determining factor in what we can and cannot do, and on those that wish to exit or enter New Zealand. What we are finding in all this uncertainty is that nothing is set in stone, but good decisions give certainty and that is what is required going forward.
We seem to assume that a vaccine will be found, and this will miraculously change everything back to where we were at the beginning of 2020. However, it is not that simple. A coronavirus vaccine has never been found in the period leading up to Covid-19 but with the huge concentrated effort throughout the world, let’s assume that a vaccine is found. It still has to be successfully tested. Health experts tell us that this process could take 18 months.
Once we are over that hurdle, we face the logistics of producing a billion vaccines or at least enough to vaccinate the vulnerable. If the world was to produce 1 million vaccines a day, non-stop every day, it would take nearly three years to produce 1 billion vials.
Each Saturday morning since the pandemic hit the world stage, Radio New Zealand’s Kim Hill has and continues to interview consultant clinical virologist at Cambridge University (UK) Dr Chris Smith, who answers questions, examines and explains the latest news and science around Covid-19. These interviews are a very good for ‘go-to’ up to date information. Here’s a link for his latest from Saturday 23 May: Virologist Dr Chris Smith: Covid-19 update
Thinking of going to the Tokyo Olympics. Already it has been postponed until the end of July 2021. The reality is looking like we will not have a vaccine in time so, will Japan allow thousands of people converging on their nation, not knowing if they are carrying the virus?
Back in New Zealand, a major sporting event we have been looking forward to is the 2021 America’s Cup sailing regatta taking place on the Waitemata Harbour in the New Year.
Stuff reports that the challenging teams will need to come into New Zealand by October 2020 in preparation for the challenger’s series in January 2021. Currently we are only allowing New Zealand citizens back into the country so for this to take place, it will require a major change and new policy for our border control. New Zealand will not allow the chance for Covid-19 to come back into the country so there may not be a rush to make the required changes.
It is feasible that in the future we will allow non-Kiwi’s into the country through quarantine measures. However, is this likely to take place in the next six-months and before we open up a trans-Tasman bubble? It is more likely that the regatta will be postponed 12-months.
Which takes us to the 2021 Castrol Toyota Racing Series that traditionally gets underway in January of each year. The majority of drivers are internationals so again, this would require a change in our border control. It is feasible that by the end of the year international travellers will be allowed to enter the country and sit out a quarantine period.
Vaccine or no vaccine, we have to contemplate a change in policy at some stage. Think of the advantages say for education. It would be a very attractive option for overseas students to study for 12-months in a Covid-19 free environment.
Toyota Racing’s advantage is that they can continue to offer five consecutive weeks of testing and racing during the ‘off-season’ for the Northern Hemisphere. The difficulty will be working through the logistics of bringing drivers, their supporters and engineers down-under and through our border restrictions. Let’s not under-estimate the impact of the Level 4 lock-down on Toyota New Zealand and the impact on car sales and business. At the moment their priority will be making sure they have a viable business which in turn can support events like the Toyota Racing Series.
The impact continues to grow on global motorsport with a report over the weekend by Autosport.com that both Rally New Zealand and Japan are due to be axed. It also reports that Formula One will not be granted an exemption to the British government’s requirements for all travellers arriving in the country to be put in quarantine.
The traditional running of the Macau Formula 3 Grand Prix in early November must also be under threat. It is reported that it will not go ahead for two reasons. First, the local government may not be happy with an influx of 3,000 people from all corners of the world. Second, the various Formula 3 series’ calendars are still very much in a fluid situation and some championships may continue well into November, impacting on the Macau Grand Prix weekend, if it was to go ahead. Don’t lay any bets on the Macau GP weekend going ahead just yet.
Organisers of the New Zealand Rally Championship have already made the brave decision to cancel the 2020 series. Kudos to them for making it an early decision which gives certainty to all involved. In the South Island, there are six club rallies and various gravel, seal and grass sprint events already planned for keen competitors and teams to tackle.
Last week the suggestion was made on Talkmotorsport that we postpone other national championships, allowing competitors and teams to focus on getting some sort of normality back into their lives and businesses. Getting back to basics.
There is merit in this suggestion as nothing is set in stone. There are consequences to be considered whatever decision is made. No decision is a decision, good decisions give certainty and that is what is required going forward.
There is merit in getting back to basics. Emphasis and focus on local is a start. Re-set and build from the bottom up.
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