The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) meeting today advised against holding non-essential, organised public gatherings of more than 500 people. In light of this advice, Surf Life Saving Australia is cancelling the 2020 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
The annual championships were due to be held on the Gold Coast in Queensland from April 18-26, with over 6,000 competitors and thousands more family, friends and spectators expected to attend the event.
“We have been monitoring the situation closely and adhering to the advice of the Federal Government and other relevant authorities since the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus,” said SLSA President Graham Ford AM.
“Following the updated information and advice today from the Federal Government, and in consideration of our members and the wider Australian community, the SLSA Board have today made the decision to cancel the Australian Surf Life Saving Championships for this year.
“The health and wellbeing of our members, volunteers, officials and staff are paramount and SLSA also recognises that an event the size of the Aussies, has the potential to attract over 17,000 people to the event and we feel that it is important that we play our part in reducing the spread of the virus out of respect for all Australians and the health care system.
“In uncertain times, we wanted to provide some clarity and certainty to our members who have been planning and preparing for this event,” said Mr Ford.
Mr Ford said that it was a decision that was not taken lightly given how celebrated the Aussies event is by the SLSA membership, but the Board acted quickly following today’s Government announcement so that Clubs and members could make appropriate plans.
The SLSA Medical Advisory Panel (Dr Natalie Hood, Dr Ned Douglas, Dr Lucinda Remilton, Dr Paul Hotton) supports the decision of the SLSA Board.
“Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) has been in regular consultation with the Australian Government (Department of Health), other health agencies and medical representatives since the outbreak to monitor and review the evolving situation.
“The SLSA medical group supports these actions to slow the rate of transmission of the virus, which will reduce the risk of SLSA members and the general public being exposed to, and potentially contracting the COVID-19.” (Stated by the Medical Advisory Panel members).
Surf Life Saving Australia will arrange refunds for all entry fees already paid for the 2020 Australian Surf Life Saving Championships.
SLSA President Graham Ford Statement | Aussies 2020 and COVID-19
Further information on the COVID19 virus can be found here
Australian Government
https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert
World Health Organisation
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Centers for Disease Control and Infection
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
New South Wales Health
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx
Friday 13 March 2020