BC Athletics Update - Coronavirus (COVID 19) - #2

March 14, 2020 0:04am

BC Athletics Update - Coronavirus (COVID 19) - #2

March 13, 2020

Further to the BC Athletics Update #1, we have received more detail relative to events/mass gatherings.

In addition, we have included below, a list of Events (Runs, Races, Track & Field Meets and Camps) that have been cancelled or postponed.

Please continue to be vigilant and informed through the British Columbia and Canada Coronavirus (COVID 19) Information links:

BC Athletics - Event Cancellations in BC and Outside of British Columbia

NOTE: If an event is not listed here as being cancelled or postponed, please contact the Event Organizer through the contact information on the BC Athletics Calendar of Events.

Cancellations:

BC Road and Trail Race Cancellations – please check with your local race organizer for more information.

  • March 14 - St Patrick’s Day Race Vancouver

  • March 14 - Cap Crusher – Coast Mountain Trail

  • March 15 - Shamrock’n Race – Try Events

  • March 15 - Another Brick In Nepal – Saanich

  • March 15 - Spring Run Off Kamloops Ridge Runners

  • March 22 – Comox Valley RV Half Marathon

  • April 4 – Island Trail Series – Royal Roads

  • April 5 - TriStars Sooke 5k

  • April 5 – Fools Run – Sunshine Coast – postponed to August 9

  • April 19 - Synergy Bazan Bay 5k

  • April 19 – Vancouver Sun Run

  • April 26 – TC10k

  • May 3 - BMO Vancouver Marathon

Track & Field Competitions

  • March 21-22 – Cdn Indoor Track & Field Championships - Montreal

Camps – Warm Weather Training

  • March 14 – BC Athletics Sprints / Jumps Development Camp

  • March 19 – 25 BC Athletics Sprint/Jumps Warm Weather Camp – Las Vegas, NV

  • March 19 – 27 BC Athletics Sprint/Jumps Warm Weather Camp – Tucson, AZ

    Athletics Canada Updates, Cancellations of Camps / Events

See: Athletics Canada COVID-19 Advisory/Guidance – Posted 12 March 2020

ISPARC Cancellations
-         I·SPARC Suspending Programs and Events Due to Health Concerns over COVID-19

Foreign Event Cancellations

  • Mt Sac Relays – Apr 16, 17, 18, 2020

A Message from viaSport BC

Dear sector leaders:
As you are probably aware, the Province has issued recommendations regarding COVID-19 response in British Columbia. Effective immediately, all event organizers are directed to postpone or cancel any gathering larger than 250 people. This includes indoor and outdoor sporting events, conferences, meetings, religious gatherings or other similar events. Public health authorities have selected this threshold to allow for recommended social distancing to mitigate the risks of COVID-19.

As citizens and sport organizations, there are a number of steps that we can take to ensure the safety of both ourselves, our colleagues, our participants, and our communities.

  1. Organizers of events with 250 or more attendees are directed to cancel those events effective immediately.
  2. Organizers of events with less than 250 attendees should use risk-informed decision-making for mass gatherings to determining whether or not to proceed with an event, including considering:
    • the population attending, including those who have travelled outside of Canada, including the United States, during the 14 days previous to the event date;
    • the event activities;
    • crowding;
    • event duration;
    • event resources; and
    • the overall viability of a successful event if attendance and participation numbers are reduced.
  3. Workplace recommendations from health authorities on reducing the spread of illness, includes:
    • avoid shaking hands;
    • avoid sharing food or drinks;
    • cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces, such as equipment, office supplies and door handles;
    • providing hand sanitizer dispensers in prominent locations; and
    • consider offering the option for staff to work from home.

The Province of British Columbia reminds us that these are temporary measures required to protect the health of the public at this critical time. They will be reassessing these conditions on an ongoing basis as it evolves, and I will keep you informed with regular updates as necessary.

Sincerely,
Charlene Krepiakevich
CEO, viaSport British Columbia

For more information:
The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control provides updates and helpful information on their website.
Guidance on mass gatherings
Common questions about COVID-19 from Healthlink BC
Recommendations on protecting yourself and your community.
COVID-19 pandemic preparedness and planning materials
For more information and latest updates on COVID-19, follow the BC Centre for Disease Control on Twitter @CDCofBC or visit its website
 

Tips for event organizers and attendees at events include:

  • Gatherings of more than 250 people should be cancelled.
  • It is her recommendation against all travel outside of Canada which extends to the U.S. and that anyone who chooses to leave the country must stay home from work or school for 14 days.
  • Do not attend the event if you are sick or not feeling well.
  • Do not attend the event if you have been in contact with an individual who has tested positive for the virus.
  • Do not attend the event if you have recently returned to Canada from countries that have experienced outbreaks of the virus, resulting quarantines or for which the Govt of Canada has issued Travel Advisories on.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly – singing at least 2 verses of Happy Birthday (approx. 20 seconds or more)
  • Use an alcohol based hand sanitizer if Soap and Water are not readily available.
  • Encourage people and give them space to clean their hands regularly — organizers of the World Rugby Sevens tournament implemented in Vancouver this past weekend. 
  • Avoid shaking hands and hugs – instead replace with Elbow Bumps and Virtual Embraces.
  • If Coughing or Sneezing – do so into a Tissue and discard it. Wash your hands immediately afterward
  • Cough or Sneeze into your Elbow or Sleeve.
  • Avoid touching your face or the face of others.

BC Athletics appreciates that this may be a lot to consider but it is important that collectively we do what we can to help limit the impact of the virus.

We hope this is helpful. Please contact the BC Athletics Office – brian.mccalder@bcathletics.org / 604-333-3552 if you have further questions or need clarification on any of the information provided.

Thank you for your help and understanding during this time.

Sincerely,

Brian McCalder,

President/CEO, BC Athletics