THE list of Limestone Coast events cancelled or postponed continues to grow in response to federal guidelines aimed at restricting the spread of coronavirus in Australia.
While no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the region, several large events and sporting competitions have called off or altered their plans.
Fringe Mount Gambier has cancelled both its Friday night Lift-Off street party and Saturday night Fringeland experience at the Cave Gardens, but many ticketed events will still go ahead as planned.
Other major events to be cancelled include this weekend’s South East Field Days in Lucindale, and May’s Generations In Jazz festival.
The decisions follow Friday’s announcement by Prime Minister Scott Morrison advising against public gatherings of more than 500 people with government officials labelling the action a “pre-emptive” move.
The measure – which is advice and not a mandated ban – will come into place tomorrow.
Speaking to the ABC earlier today, Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said “no options were off the table” with a nationwide lockdown of all citizens among the options being considered.
There are currently 250 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Australia, including 19 in South Australia and 49 in Victoria.
Globally, more than 156,000 cases have been reported, resulting in 5816 confirmed deaths. Over 72,500 people have recovered from coronavirus.
The government has urged Australians to reconsider overseas travel “regardless of your destination, age of health”.
LIMESTONE COAST EVENT IMPACT
CANCELLED
Carp-a-thon, Mt Gambier
Mount Gambier & District Tennis Association 2019-20 season (indefinitely)
Fringe Lift-Off Party, Mt Gambier (Friday)
Fringeland, Mt Gambier (Saturday)
South East Field Days, Lucindale (Mar 20-21)
South Australian Wingless Sprint Championship, Mt Gambier (Mar 20-21)
SA Country Basketball Championships – U12/U16, Adelaide (Mar 20-21)
2020 Uni SA Australian HPV Super Series Round 1, Mt Gambier (Mar 28)
Keith Diesel & Dirt Derby, Keith (Mar 28)
South East Art Society Fringe event, Mt Gambier (Mar 28)
Generations In Jazz, OB Flat (May 1-3)
POSTPONED
Mount Gambier Hospital Open Day, Mt Gambier (Apr 5 – new date TBC)
NBL1 Series season launch (Mar 21). All Central conference games postponed until Apr 18 at the earliest. At this stage, the Mount Gambier Pioneers (South conference) season opener on Apr 18 at The Icehouse will go ahead.
YET TO DECIDE
Tatiara SA Masters Games (Apr 16-20) – Organisers to meet tomorrow
Has public advice on coronavirus impacted your event? Or will you be continuing as planned or with alterations? Email editor@tbw.com.au to let the Limestone Coast know.
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EDUCATION SITES TO CLOSE IF LINKED TO VIRUS
SCHOOLS or early childhood services facilities would be immediately closed for a minimum of 24 hours if a confirmed COVID-19 case is detected involving someone who has been on-site.
Under new protocols issued by the State Government, the site would only reopen when deemed safe to do so by health experts, with the site to be thoroughly cleaned.
Closure will allow public health officials to identify and notify any close contacts and advise on isolation requirements.
Additionally, in response to current travel warnings, all international student excursions and work-related staff travel to countries excluding New Zealand have been put on hold until the end of Term 2.
This will be reviewed as more information comes to hand, with the current decisions based off advice from SA Health and Commonwealth agencies.
South Australia’s chief public health officer Associate Professor Nicola Spurrier said the decision was essential.
“An immediate closure provides the best chance of containment and allows the public health team to carry out the necessary work to identify close contacts who will need to remain at home for 14 days,” Assoc Prof Spurrier said.
Parents are also being asked to help contain the spread of the illness by keeping children who are unwell with respiratory illness at home until symptoms resolve.
Education Minister John Gardner urged employers to be flexible and understanding if parents required time off to care for sick children.
“We know it can be difficult to arrange care or take time off work to care for a child, but in the current circumstances we need people to do everything they can for the health of the wider community.”
Current Commonwealth advice for parents, children and adults is:
– Any child, student or staff member who has travelled in or transited through mainland China, Iran, South Korea or Italy must self-isolate for 14 days after leaving the high risk country.
– Close contacts of a confirmed case of COVID-19 must self-isolate for 14 days since last contact with the confirmed case.
– All returned travellers who develop symptoms (especially fever and cough) within 14 days of returning from anywhere overseas should seek testing for COVID-19, and self-isolate while awaiting test results.
– Any confirmed case of COVID-19 will be excluded from school/childcare/the workplace until they are medically cleared to return.
– Children, students and staff who have returned to Australia from anywhere else overseas and have no symptoms are able to return to school or work.
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SCAMMERS USE VIRUS TO TARGET PUBLIC
POLICE are warning the public of the ongoing threat posed by online scams, as scammers are continuing to exploit the fear of coronavirus.
Common scams circulating relate to falsely advertising coronavirus-related remedies and setting up fake fundraising initiatives.
Authorities have urged the public to be mindful that many of the fraudulent advert and product links are integrated into popular social media platforms.
Emails claiming to be from legitimate health or fundraising organisations are also been used by scammers.
Clicking on the link or an attachment may lead to scammers obtaining personal details or infecting your device with malicious software.
Take the time to think before clicking on links contained within emails or social media platforms.
Visit www.cyber.gov.au to report a cybersecurity issue.
