Announcement

Update – Coronavirus [COVID-19]

  1. General Update – Coronavirus CODVID-19

BWF is continuing to closely monitor the situation related to the Coronavirus (CODVID-19) outbreak. Here are some general points about the situation:

> The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the body that BWF (and your own government) looks to for advice and guidance. WHO declared on 30 January that this this was a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This means governments are putting in place measures to prevent the virus spreading.

> This is an evolving situation, and we advise you to keep up to date and refer to the WHO website and any advice your government is providing.

See the Question and Answer section of the WHO website to get some basic facts about CODIV-19.

> Generally the vast majority of cases are in China, especially Wuhan, Hubei province. There are a small number cases in about 27 other countries – Asia, Europe, Oceania and USA.

> Some countries are putting in place entry restrictions on certain nationalities. This is a challenge for some players travelling and trying to compete in some international tournaments.

> BWF sanctioned tournaments are continuing as per the BWF calendar apart from the postponement of the Lingshui China Masters 2020 (announced by the BWF on Saturday 1 February).

_________________________________________________

  1. Working With Hosts of Tournaments

BWF is working closely with tournament hosts at Grade 1 and 2 tournaments to ensure they are putting in place the necessary measures.

> Local health authorities where tournaments are planned to be hosted, are very important as they provide expert advice for the local conditions where the tournament is hosted.

> Hosts of tournaments are working closely with local health authorities, centre for disease control, other relevant government departments to understand what preventative measures are being put in place nationally – and what the tournament host should do.

> Players, coaches and technical officials who are travelling to tournaments should seek advice from their own authorities regarding travel advice.

> For Grade 1 and 2, the Hosts and BWF aim to communicate with the participants two weeks before the tournament to 1) give some general information and 2) to provide any specific information on any special measures they are taking.

_________________________________________________

  1. Your own Personal Preventative Measures

Every person travelling to tournaments and those working on tournaments should follow these basic preventative measures according to the World Health Organisation – WHO

1.Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly (for at least 20 second on every part of the hand). Use soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub even if your hands are not visibly dirty.

2. Cover your coughs / sneezes – When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue – discard tissue immediately into a closed bin and clean your hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water.

3. Maintain social distancing – Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and other people who have illness – those who are coughing or sneezing or have a fever.

4. Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth – Hands touch many surfaces which can be contaminated with the virus. If you touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your contaminated hands, you can transfer the virus from the surface to yourself.

5. If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early – Tell your health care provider if you have travelled in an area in China or overseas where COVID-19 has been reported, or if you have been in close contact with someone with who has travelled from China or another areas of 2019and has respiratory symptoms.

6. If you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within China – or been in close contact with someone who has – if you have mild respiratory symptoms and no travel history to or within China or other locations with reported cases – seek medical advice / carefully practice basic respiratory and hand hygiene and stay home until you are recovered, if possible.

________________________________________________

  1. What are the early Symptoms?

According to WHO – these are the basic symptom:

First signs of infection include:

1.respiratory symptoms

2. fever

3. cough

4. shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

This is the basic information – see also the WHO website for more information.

_____________________________________________

  1. What to do when travelling?

Before you travel, think about the following:

What is the coronavirus situation at the destination(s) you are going to?

Seek advice from your national authorities – health, foreign affairs, centre for disease control.

Get advice on whether you should take hand sanitizers or use masks while travelling – look at the WHO advice on wearing masks – WHO – When and where to use a mask

____________________________________________

  1. Where to Get More Information

There are two main sources of information:

1.Your government health authorities.

2. The World Health Organisations – WHO – here are some useful links from WHO

> WHO – Coronavirus – Basic Information

> WHO – Questions and Answers

> WHO – Protect Yourself – Preventative Measures

> WHO – When and where to use a mask

___________________________________________