Dear BASL Football Community,

By now you are no doubt aware of the international health concern regarding the human coronavirus.

The World Health Organization has now declared pandemic status for the outbreak. Instructions regards attending football activities.

Instructions regards attending football activities:

FFA has today confirmed that grassroots football may continue to be played at this time in line with Government advice, but with additional measures implemented to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection or transmission through the football community, including recommended hygiene measures and appropriate social distancing at football matches. 
https://www.ffa.com.au/news/update-covid-19-impact-football

These measures require that only people essential to the operation of training and matches be in attendance. This would include players, coaches, match & club officials. 

For junior teams we understand that this will at times include parents and carers however we highly encourage social distancing and recommended levels of personal hygiene where such attendance is required.

The safety of all our players, coaches, volunteers and members along with their families and the broader community is our primary concern at this time. As such, we strongly encourage those presenting with cold/flu-like symptoms to not attend football activities, including training, games or other related events and ensure you seek medical advice from a doctor.

Club administrators and coaches should consider some proactive steps as appropriate, especially if you have knowledge of any Members who might have been overseas recently. It is suggested that any Member who has returned from any overseas destination does not attend soccer activities for a two week period upon returning to Australia.

BASL encourages all of our members to follow good health practices including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. Dry thoroughly with paper towels or hand dryer. 
• Try not to touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and throw the tissue in the bin immediately. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve or elbow.
• If you feel sick, stay at home and phone your GP if you need medical attention.
• Avoid shaking hands, hugging or coming into contact with people unnecessarily.
• Follow travel advice, and self-isolate if you have travelled to mainland China, Iran, Italy or South Korea in the past 14 days.
• Call the Department of Health Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 if you need more information.
• If you are tested for COVID-19 and are found to be positive for the virus, please contact your age group coordinator or your club secretary to inform the club so we can take appropriate action.

What to do if you identify a person with suspected COVID-19:

• Withdraw the person from activities immediately and notify your club secretary and BASL Secretary. If the player attended a match please also contact the opposition club secretary.
• Call the Coronavirus Hotline on 1800 675 398 and follow their advice about the person and others they have been in contact with.
• Phone your doctor and tell them that you have been in contact with someone who may have COVID-19 and follow their advice.
• If you want more information about what COVID-19 is and how it affects people, the ABC Behind the News program has produced an excellent 4½ minute video, suitable for children and adults. Access the video online here.

Further Updates
BASL will forward any advice or updates from Football Victoria and will act on all advice from the Department of Health and Human Services.

What is a coronavirus?
A coronavirus is a type of virus that most commonly infects animals and sometimes also infects humans. Some transpire easily from person to person, while others do not. There are many different strains of coronaviruses. For example, some strains of coronaviruses simply cause the common cold, but other strains can cause more serious conditions such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

You can read further information on the Department of Health and Human Services - website who is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with the World Health Organization to ensure Australia is well prepared and to minimise the risk of further disease transmission.

FFA has today confirmed that grassroots football may continue to be played at this time in line with Government advice, but with additional measures implemented to further reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection or transmission through the football community, including recommended hygiene measures and appropriate social distancing at football matches. https://www.ffa.com.au/news/update-covid-19-impact-football

These measures require that only people essential to the operation of training and matches be in attendance. This would include players, coaches, match & club officials. 

For junior teams we understand that this will at times include parents and carers however we highly encourage social distancing and recommended levels of personal hygiene where such attendance is required.

Yours Sincerely,

Aaron Shooter
BASL President
Bendigo Amateur Soccer League Inc
w: www.basl.com.au
e: president@basl.com.au

 

QUALITY : UNITY : PARTICIPATION : ENGAGING : FUN