Coronavirus Update and WPQ Position

Dear Associations, Clubs, Stakeholders and Members,

Water Polo Queensland Inc. (WPQ) is monitoring daily the current situation in relation to Coronavirus and is receiving regular updates from Water Polo Australia (WPA), Sport Australia, the AIS and Queensland Health.

There is a link on the Queensland Health website and also a link on the AIS website under Health & Wellbeing which is updated daily with information in relation to sporting activity and also general information that is relevant to all members of the public and certainly would be of use to our wider water polo community.

The current situation with the coronavirus throughout the world presents challenges to everyone. It is important that as leaders of our sport, we provide the latest information based on facts and share that information to encourage people to stay informed and take action on advice from reputable sources who are at the forefront of this virus in Queensland and Australia.

At present the current advice from 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." However, WPQ considers the safety and wellbeing of its members and supporters of paramount importance and as such will be monitoring the advice provided by State and Federal agencies. If necessary, appropriate action to minimise risk to members and supporters will be taken based on advice of those agencies.

Further to the above, the following information is provided to our WPQ Associations, Clubs, Stakeholders and Members:

1.WPQ’s position as it relates to planned 2020 National Championships

WPQ has received advice from Water Polo Australia that the planned 2020 WPA Open Water Polo Championships being held on the Gold Coast from 6-10 May and the National Championships being held in Adelaide from 21-24 May, at this time are scheduled to continue. We do, however, recognise the need for this to be reviewed regularly as the situation is changing daily. We will ensure that all athletes and coaches involved in the WPQ Qld Country Team and State Squad/Team programs and their families receive regular communication updates and the latest information to inform decisions relating to our participation in the 2020 National Championship schedule.

As at 12:00pm Thursday 12 March 2020, the advice is to continue with planned water polo activities but increase hygiene measures and implement self-exclusion if exhibiting flu-like symptoms.

Please Note: This is a fluid situation and we need to ensure we stay up to date with the latest information being provided by State and Federal Government agencies.

2.Import players from International countries

WPQ recommends that Associations, Clubs and Stakeholders stay up to date with the Australian Government restrictions and/or recommendations relating to entry requirements of all foreign Internationals into Australia. Advice received today is there are now only two categories:

1. High risk – China, Iran, South Korea, Italy
2. Moderate risk – all other countries

If you have International players intending to come to Queensland and Australia to play, they need to be informed of potential quarantine requirements. The AIS information portal contains specific instructions in how to manage any athlete who has arrived from overseas travel.

3.Community Water Polo Activities

WPQ recommends all Members (athletes, coaches, managers, referees, officials and spectators) of water polo Association, Clubs, Teams and Leagues implement (at a minimum) the below set of actions for upcoming competitions, training sessions and matches:

• Replace handshaking at the start and conclusion of games with (for example) fist pumps or thumbs up.
• Use labelled water bottles. These must be strictly single person use. Avoid use of communal water bottles.
• Take care with food handling at games; for example, oranges or lollies at half-time or full-time. Use tongs to serve or reconsider shared food.
• Mouth-guards should be washed after each game, followed by cleaning of hands.
• Continue to cover nose and mouth with tissue or flexed elbow when coughing or sneezing.
• Keep 1.5m distance from anyone that is coughing or sneezing.
• Use alcohol-based hand wash available at the canteen, officials tables, team benches and seat stands outside the change room.
• All athletes, coaches, managers, referees and officials should wash their hands with soap and water and dry with paper towel prior to and after games.
• Gloves should be worn when attending to athletes with injuries – especially against blood exposure but also to prevent contact with mouth-guards.
• Associations and Clubs should keep track of attendance at training and competitions to facilitate contacting at risk people if a case is detected with one of their team members or opponents.

Any Member with flu-like symptoms should self-exclude from playing, coaching, training and spectating at the first sign of the symptoms and seek medical advice.

Further advice on the Coronavirus COVID-19 can be found from the following recommended sources:

• Queensland Health (www.health.qld.gov.au/) or for non-urgent health advice you can call 13HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
• Australian Government Department of Health (www.health.gov.au) or for general advice regarding COVID-19, call the Australian Government's Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080

All members of the water polo Queensland community should note that this is an evolving situation and advice could change at any time. WPQ will endeavour to update the water polo Queensland community as soon as possible should these circumstances change.

Kind regards,

Melanie Woosnam
Chief Executive Officer
Water Polo Queensland