COVID-19 snowball

La ministre de la Santé du Québec n’exclut pas de demander l’annulation des Championnats du monde de patinage artistique de l'ISU qui doivent se tenir du 16 au 22 mars au Centre Bell, a-t-elle fait savoir lundi.

C’est une décision au niveau du gouvernement, de la sécurité civile et de la sécurité publique. Nous sommes en train d’évaluer toute cette situation, mais nous sommes très conscients que nous devons prendre une décision rapidement, a dit Danielle McCann

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MONTREAL -- Quebec Health Minister Danielle McCann says the government is evaluating whether to allow the world figure skating championships to go ahead next week in Montreal.

Her comments Monday come after the International Ice Hockey Federation on Saturday cancelled the women's world hockey championship scheduled to take place in Nova Scotia from March 31 to April 10 because of the spread of the novel coronavirus. Hockey Canada said Nova Scotia health officials recommended the event not be held at the scheduled time in a letter to the sport's governing body.


McCann said provincial public health and public security officials are involved in the analysis of the March 16-22 figure skating event, with input from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

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10/3

As per the ISU Statement of March 2 the ISU, in consultation with the competent local authorities and the organizing ISU Members, is continuing to closely monitor the coronavirus developments and their impact on the upcoming ISU Events that at this time remain scheduled as planned (ISU World Junior Synchronized Skating Championships in Nottingham, Great Britain on March 13-14, 2020, ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal Canada on March 16-22, 2020 and the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships in Lake Placid, USA on April 3-5, 2020).

As to the ISU World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to be held in Montreal on March 16-22, 2020, the ISU learned that the Quebec Health Ministry has scheduled a meeting for this morning Quebec time to discuss all major events in the province. The ISU will not fail to communicate and comment on conclusions of this meeting as soon as publicly available.


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The International Skating Union sent out strict requirements for attending next week's world figure skating championships in Montreal amid the threat of the novel coronavirus.

Media, officials, skaters and coaches scheduled to attend the event received a lengthy Coronavirus Information Package on Tuesday from the world governing body for skating.

Among requirements for entry, individuals must undergo a temperature check and receive a temperature reading of less than 38 C.

"If there is evidence of an acute respiratory infection (cold symptoms, runny nose, sore throat, cough, chest discomfort or difficulty breathing) you will be provided with a mask, the medical personnel are notified, and isolation will be required," the ISU's questionnaire said. "The Canadian Public Health officials will be notified and their protocols will be followed. An accreditation will not be issued until you have been cleared by the Canadian Public Health officials."

The questionnaire also asked attendees whether they've had any recent travel to or from any high-risk areas for the coronavirus, or have been in contact with anyone who has travelled to high-risk areas.

The requirements come a day after Quebec Health Minister Danielle McCann says the government is evaluating whether to allow the championships to go ahead.



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10/3 DVHN:

Fries echtpaar besmet met corona. Groningen nu nog enige coronavrije provincie van Nederland

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11 March 2020 Lausanne, Switzerland

At the time of publishing this statement, the ISU has not been informed of any specific decision from the Quebec Health Ministry in regard to the ISU World Figure Skating Championships scheduled to be held in Montreal on March 16-22, 2020.

Pending such a decision the ISU continues with its preparation and implementation of precautionary measures. The ISU will communicate any decisions of the competent authorities as soon as they are available.

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A decision on the fate of next week's world figure skating championships in Montreal is expected to be announced later Wednesday.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said a call is coming shortly on whether the event will go ahead as scheduled March 18-22 at the Bell Centre.

"We are examining, there are chances it will be cancelled," Legault told reporters Wednesday morning in Quebec City. "We should, today, be in a position to make an official announcement."

The spread of the novel coronavirus has caused Quebec health officials to evaluate whether the event should be held as scheduled.

Skate Canada postponed two media conference calls scheduled for Wednesday with athletes.

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De internationale schaatsunie ISU heeft de WK kunstrijden in Montreal moeten schrappen vanwege het coronavirus. Dat gebeurde op last van de Canadese autoriteiten. De wereldtitelstrijd zou komende week plaatsvinden (16-22 maart). Namens Nederland zouden Niki Wories en het duo Daria Danilova/Michel Tsiba in Canada deelnemen.