Athletics Ireland Events and Covid 19 Coronavirus - March 7th
Coronavirus Covid 19 & Athletics Ireland Events
Saturday March 7th 2020
Athletics Ireland: The ONLY advice to be followed will come from HSE
Athletics Ireland HR Manager, Kieron Stout said, on Wednesday, that Athletics Ireland would not be issuing advice or recommendations on the Coronavirus, and that all such advice will come from the HSE. Current HSE advice is that events proceed as normal. That advice is, of course, subject to:
a) Checking the HSE site, at least daily, for updates or changes in the advice
b) Following HSE & WHO advice on Hygiene and Social Distance
c) That there are no specific adverse conditions relating to your event, or people associated with your event
d) Common sense prevails - The trouble with Common Sense is that it is very rare!
HSE Coronavirus Information
HSE Guidelines on Mass Gatherings
HSE Guidance and Advice Resources
Guidelines on Mass Events
The Government has issued separate guidelines for those organising mass events involving groups of more than 5,000 people and those with groups of less than that amount.
The Taoiseach said this afternoon that the Government will not be ordering the cancellation of any events at this stage, including St Patrick's Day events.
Coronavirus Symptoms
Cancelling Events
Yesterday, a government statement said "people should not act unilaterally, including crèche owners, school principals, business owners or event organisers as that causes problems."
So....The current position is that Athletics Ireland events may proceed, but that, due to the coronavirus crisis, event organisers do have additional responsibilities if they go ahead with their events.
While no information on these additional responsibilities have been published, it is likely that will include considerable emphasis on the area of maintaining personal hygiene, maintaining 'social distance', and the provision of additional toilet and handwashing facilities, and ensuring that the highest standards are maintained.
Indoor / Outdoor Events
Indoor events present a greater risk of virus transmission, due to the closer proximity of people at the event, while, outdoors, the risk would appear to be less. However at race starts, in particular, athletes are likely to be tightly packed.
Some Suggestions for Race Participants
Practice good Hygiene ...ALWAYS!
If you are ill, or feel ill, please don't come to the event!
If you have been to a Covid-19 hot-spot please do NOT attend
Do NOT share cups or water bottles
If you are a spitter, please swallow instead
Blow your nose using 'Runner's Snort'? Please don't do it!
Avoid close contact with others. Start and finish lines, and queues for refreshments are areas where this is particularly likely.
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