Coronavirus: Widespread disruption for all sports
By Hayden Moore
SPORTING bodies all around the country have pulled the plug on training, matches and all other activity relating to their sport in an effort to try curb the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
In an address on Thursday (March 12) morning, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced a number of measures to help combat the spread of the illness.
Among those was the advice that indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and open-air gatherings of over 500 people be cancelled, while social gatherings be reduced and social distancing be applied where possible.
As a result, the GAA, An Cumman Camógaíochta and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association have decided to suspend all related activity at club, county and educational levels until March 29.
Meanwhile the Football Association of Ireland announced the “cessation of all football under its jurisdiction until March 29 inclusive, and with immediate effect following directives from Government, the Department of Health and UEFA”.
Elsewhere, Basketball Ireland, Hockey Ireland, Kickboxing Ireland, IRFU, Athletics Ireland, TaekwondoIreland, IABA, Motorsport Ireland, Baseball Ireland and Tennis Ireland among others all released statements postponing activity under their umbrellas.
Swim Ireland, cancelling all galas, competitions, meetings and any social or fundraising activities, did say that “at present the advice doesn’t impact on training” once it is in line with “trying to reduce social interaction”.
In golf, the GUI and ILGU restrictions put in place “do not prevent club competitions and casual rounds of golf taking place” but caution should be taken.
Pitch and Putt Ireland ask clubs to “act upon and continually monitor the advice and guidance issues by the Health Service Executive”.
