STATEMENT: COVID-19 (Coronavirus) update from Water Polo Australia

Published Thu 12 Mar 2020

Water Polo Australia (WPA) is closely monitoring the changing nature of the COVID-19 virus (Coronavirus) and is working with key stakeholders from the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and Australian Olympic Committee (AOC)

At present, WPA wishes to advise that the OVO Australian Waterpolo League Finals scheduled to be held in Sydney in early April are going ahead as planned. Additionally, the WPA Open Water Polo Championships being held on the Gold Coast and National Championships being held in Adelaide in May, are also scheduled to continue.

However, WPA considers the safety and welfare of its competitors, members and supporters as paramount and as such will be monitoring the advice provided by State and Federal agencies. If necessary, appropriate action to minimise risk to members and supported will be taken based on advice of those agencies

The current advice from New South Wales Health and Queensland Health in relation to events and mass gatherings is that "there is no need to cancel any events or gatherings or take additional precautions to normal practice. People who are unwell should not attend public gatherings."

For Australian teams representing Water Polo, advice is being closely monitored through the communications with the AIS/AOC and information provided through a dedicated portal for high performance sports- click here. The WPA HP staff are meeting over the next 48 hours to assess and update plans and contingencies to reflect the latest updates in relation to International travel

WPA acknowledges that this advice can change as the situation evolves, and as such will continue to monitor, and act accordingly. Should there be any change to this advice WPA will communicate this information through direct communication with clubs and officials as well as via social media (@WaterpoloAus) and the website.

Further information on the COVID19 virus from the States and Territories can be found here:

Australian Capital Territory

https://health.act.gov.au/public-health-alert/updated-information-about-covid-19

New South Wales

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/diseases/Pages/coronavirus.aspx

Northern Territory

https://health.nt.gov.au/news/coronavirus

Queensland

https://www.health.qld.gov.au/clinical-practice/guidelines-procedures/diseases-infection/diseases/coronavirus

South Australia

https://www.sahealth.sa.gov.au/wps/wcm/connect/public+content/sa+health+internet/health+topics/health+topics+a+-+z/COVID+2019

Tasmania