COVID-19 March 19 Update
The following information has been provided to the club from Rugby AU.
INFORMATION FOR THE GAME REGARDING CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
Date: Tuesday 10 March 2020
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus and symptoms can range from mild illness to pneumonia and people may experience fever, flu-like symptoms or shortness of breath. In Australia, the people most at risk of getting the virus are those who have recently been in mainland China and Iran or have been in close contact with someone who is a confirmed case of COVID-19.
COVID-19 is increasingly impacting the global community and is a rapidly evolving issue. The Australian Government’s Department of Health are currently monitoring COVID-19 and providing advice that is regularly updated:
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
Rugby Australia strongly recommends that member unions, associations, clubs and participants follow the advice issued by of the Australian Government and any additional advice that is issued by their State or Territory Governments.
Additionally, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) are providing regular updates on their website: https://ais.gov.au/health-wellbeing/covid-19/_nocache#covid-19_and_sport_faq
The best way to prevent against the spread of infections such as COVID-19 is to practice good hygiene, including:
• regularly washing hands with soap and water;
• using a tissue and covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing;
• avoiding close contact with others if you are unwell; and
• ensuring public spaces/equipment (such as club changing rooms and massage tables etc.) are regularly and thoroughly cleaned.
Clubs should also be ensuring that safe hygiene practices in relation to food handling are followed in kitchens and dining facilities.
There is a risk of transmission of infections in team sport environments, therefore any participant who is currently suffering from any flu-like symptoms or is feeling unwell, regardless of their recent travel, should refrain from playing/training and should seek medical advice.
Participants should also follow the advice and restrictions set out by the Department of Health relating to isolation following travel or contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Any participant who is subject to the outlined travel restrictions or has been in contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case should not attend training/matches or any other club activities for 14 days following travel or contact.
There is not currently any advice that recommends those in Australia refrain from attending sporting matches, however everyone is advised to stay up to date with the latest Department of Health advice.