NRAA Statement on COVID 19
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a major international concern and I’m sure you are all aware of the impact it is having on everyday events. Our thoughts and wishes are extended to anyone who has been affected by the virus.
The NRAA Board has considered a number of issues relating to the virus and has reviewed applicable Government and Sporting guidance – which can be found at:
The NRAA’s position on COVID-19 is that we need to take reasonable steps to protect our membership due to the fact that a greater proportion of our members are in the ‘at risk’ category. The NRAA Board takes its responsibility for the safety and well-being of our membership seriously.
So what are our recommendations:
AT RISK MEMBERS: The Health Department has advised that people most at risk of serious infection are:
- People with compromised immune systems (such as people who have cancer)
- Elderly people
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (as they have higher rates of chronic illness)
- People with chronic medical conditions
- People in group residential settings
- People in detention facilities
- Very young children and babies*
*At this stage, the risk to children and babies, and the role children play in the transmission of COVID-19, is not clear. However, there has so far been a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 cases among children relative to the broader population.
If you fall into one of these categories our strong advice is that you abstain from shooting in the short to medium term.
CLUB SHOOTING: The NRAA believes that club shooting can continue on a case by case basis – as determined by the club management. A greater level of hygiene and social distancing should be adhered to, as should greater scrutiny over the preparation of food. The NRAA highly recommends that Club Social Functions be postponed or cancelled at this stage. If you are unwell, even just a runny nose, then please do not attend the club shoot.
If you are a member in the at high risk category – you should consider abstaining from shooting in the short to medium term.
STATE QUEENS / STATE COMPETITIONS: Current Federal Government recommendation is to postpone or cancel large events with greater than 500 people. It is the NRAA’s recommendation to the States and Territories that large events in the short term be postponed, with events in the second half of the year a decision made no later than 4 weeks from the event date. Obviously, a decision to cancel or postpone any such event rests with the organising State Association, and a key consideration will be the time until the event is run – the events surrounding this virus are likely to change in the coming weeks.
The VRA has just had to make a difficult decision to delay their Queens and this decision is supported by the NRAA Board.
NATIONAL QUEENS/NATIONAL TEAMS: These events occur in June and the Board is not yet ready to make a decision based on the fact that circumstances will change over the coming weeks. The Board will make a decision by 17 April 2020 as to whether or not these events will go-ahead.
Please do not book any travel etc until we have made that decision.
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS: At this stage the South African Trip has been cancelled. Bisley in July 2020 is not yet cancelled, but we will make a decision based on the advice from the NRA GB and also the health status of the UK in the coming months. We will advise team members in due course.
YOU THE SHOOTER: Please take care of yourself and your club mates. If you have any indication of being slightly unwell, please do not attend a shoot – stay at home. If you are an “at Risk Member’ please consider taking a short-term break to avoid becoming ill.
If you are planning international or national travel, our advice is to follow the Federal Government Smart Travellor Advice https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ . Initial indications are that travel insurance is not covering costs of cancellations or health care if you booked now – so you as an individual could carry significant risk. We have asked our insurance provider for greater clarity as to this issue and we should have more information in the coming days.
These are unprecedented times for our sport and our country. The NRAA Board is closely monitoring the situation and will endeavor to provide advice as it comes to hand. In the interest of accurate and single point of truth for information pertaining to our sport, the NRAA ask that all members stay informed through the NRAA website.
Ultimately, we need you to be careful and look after yourself and your mates.
Piers Cambridge Chairman NRAA on Behalf of the Board.
From the Health Website:
Prevention
Practising good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene and keeping away from others when they are — or if you are — sick is the best defence against most viruses. You also should:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet
- cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser
- if unwell, avoid contact with others (stay more than 1.5 metres from people)
- exercise personal responsibility for social distancing measures
Wearing a surgical masks is only helpful in preventing people who have COVID-19 from spreading it to others. If you are well, you do not need to wear a surgical mask as there is little evidence supporting the widespread use of surgical masks in healthy people to prevent transmission in public.
Find out more in our fact sheet about the use of surgical masks.
Read more about protective measures against coronavirus on the World Health Organization website.
If you have a confirmed case, you need to isolate yourself to prevent it spreading to other people.
