A Water Polo Canada Update #2 Relative to the COVID-19 situation

(March 14, 2020) -  Water Polo Canada has published its first set of recommendations relative to the COVID-19 situation on Saturday, March 7th and the first update on Tuesday, March 10th. These recommendations were specifically focused on water polo domestic events taking place in Canada and associated preventive measures. Since Tuesday, the landscape has drastically evolved, and this second update is more comprehensive while recognizing that the situation is unstable.

Water Polo Canada is receiving the communiqués now issued every 48 hours by the Canadian Sport Medicine Advisory Committee (1) , and we have just received an additional communiqué from Sport Canada. This latest Water Polo Canada update is based on these communiqués.

Therefore, the below is to informed you of what is recommended as well as of the measures that Water Polo Canada has itself implemented.

In general

• Measures taken in light of COVID-19 are meant to protect the best interests of athletes, officials, coaches, volunteers, and all those who contribute to our organization.

• Each of us and each of our organizations have a role to play in safeguarding the ability of our communities and institutions to weather the impacts of COVID-19. Collective measures of active prevention are essential to slow the spread of the virus. Water Polo Canada is committed to contributing to the collective effort.

• The situation is evolving rapidly. In the last 48/72 hours, provincial and territorial authorities have introduced a range of measures aimed at slowing down the progress of the virus in their jurisdiction and, by extension, across the country.

More specifically

• It is recommended that organizations take active steps to heighten hygiene measures. These are as simple as taking care to wash hands frequently and thoroughly, and to avoid touching the mouth, nose and eyes; and increasing the cleaning schedule for training environments.

• The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) provides a wealth of practical information on its site, including awareness tools that can be downloaded; travel advisories and guidance; broader guidance documents; and information on prevention and risks. You can review it here: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

International Travel

• PHAC, Sport Canada and the Sport Medicine Advisory Committee advice is to cancel or postpone all non-essential international travel. There are asking to weigh all travel questions with extra care, in consultation with our CMO (Chief Medical Officer) or team doctor. They are suggesting to turn to the CMOs of the Sport Medicine Advisory  Committee for additional advice. That’s what Water Polo Canada is doing for its National Team Program working with Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, CMO of the Institut national du sport du Québec where both our Men’s and Women’s National Team Programs are in residence.

• Based on the experience of certain sports, there is a growing risk that, in light of risks due to the COVID-19 virus, insurance coverage may no longer cover athletes when traveling abroad. Organizations and individuals are therefore strongly encouraged to contact their insurance provider prior to travel to confirm insurance coverage.

• In light of PHAC’s travel advice, individuals abroad should consider returning to Canada, recognizing that access to adequate health care services while abroad cannot be guaranteed, as other countries are also striving to serve their populations in light of COVID-19. NSOs are invited to evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis and consult with their Chief Medical Officer or team doctor which Water Polo Canada has been doing and all our National Team Athletes still abroad - including the USA, have been asked to return to Canada. Based on Dr. Leclerc recommendations athletes will follow appropriate quarantine protocols.

Domestic Travel

• The current trend is to avoid non-essential travel. Please consider domestic travel carefully and investigate regional or provincial travel advisories.

• Water Polo Canada Women’s National Team Legacy program has been cancelled

Events taking place in Canada

• PHAC also advises organizers of events to consider deferring, cancelling, or changing their plans. Since situations differ, you should consult the health authorities in your jurisdiction (see contact information below) to inform your decisions. There has been a growing number of cancellations over the last 48/72 hours or so; you may wish to consider cancelling or postponing an event, or determine whether spectator numbers can be limited. These are difficult decisions as there are consequences for cancelling, but there are also risks associated with not cancelling.

• Relative to the NCL Water Polo Canada has so far taken the following decisions:

Decisions taken on Thursday March 12 th :

• The 2020 Senior National Championships being held at the Claude-Robillard Sports Centre from March 27-29 have been cancelled

• As a result of the above, Water Polo Canada has made the decision to cancel all remaining NCL games in the Major League Water Polo (Senior) category, including the event taking place in Ottawa this weekend

Decisions taken on Friday March 13th:

• March 14, 2020 - Coquitlam, BC - Postponed
• March 20-21, 2020 - Nepean, ON - Postponed
• March 21, 2020 - Brantford, ON - Postponed
• March 21, 2020 - Montreal, QC - Postponed
• March 23, 2020 - Ottawa, ON - Postponed
• April 2-5, 2020 - Tournament in Regina is cancelled after discussion with Water Polo Saskatchewan
• April 3-5, 2020 - Tournament in Montreal (DDO) is cancelled
• April 3, 2020 - Toronto, ON - Postponed
• April 5, 2020 - Etobicoke, ON - Postponed
• April 8, 2020 - Calgary, AB - Postponed
• April 11, 2020 - Surrey, BC - Postponed

NCL events between mid-April and late May: n o decisions have been taken yet relative to NCL events from mid-April until late May. Water Polo Canada will advise as soon as possible.

OTHER WATER POLO CANADA DECISIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS

• National Office, Ottawa: status quo through Wednesday March 18th and then WPC is looking at possibly moving to basic staffing in the office, with all staff working remotely except for one staff in the office on a rotation basis.

• WPC Staff travel: no international travel until further notice and limitation of domestic travel to the strict minimum

Contact information for public health authorities by jurisdiction:

Government of Canada novel coronavirus information line: 1-833-784-4397

British Columbia: 811

Alberta : 811

Saskatchewan: 811

Manitoba: 1-888-315-9257

Ontario: 1-866-797-0000

Quebec: 1 877 644-4545

New Brunswick: 811

Nova Scotia: 811

Prince Edward Island: 811

Newfoundland and Labrador: 811 or 1-888-709-2929

Nunavut: 867-975-5772

Northwest Territories: 911

Yukon: 811