Police called to Townsville touch footy game in wake of coronavirus

Police were called to a Townsville touch football competition to check if it was complying with self-distancing regulations following the outbreak of coronavirus.

Police were called to a Townsville touch football competition to check if it was complying with self-distancing regulations following the outbreak of coronavirus.

Townsville Touch Football, in a statement, clarified officers attended Queens Park on Sunday “as part of a series of checks on local gatherings”.

After meeting with the competition’s administrator and checking measures, officers did not need to take further action.

The Townsville competition has implemented the following recommendations from Touch Football Australia:

– Removing the requirements for players to remain in the designated “interchange area”

and instead allowed interchanges to occur at any point on the sideline.

– Moving shared interchange areas to the opposite side of fields to provide further ability

to distance players and officials (where possible).

– Suspended it’s “whistle loan” program for duty referees indefinitely.

– Discouraged non-essential members from attending during competition hours.

– Removed spectators from the sidelines of all fields and made regular announcements

regarding maintaining safe distance between each other.

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Touch Football Australia (TFA) will continue monitoring government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and adjust accordingly.

In a statement, the touch football national body said it was unclear as to what the impact the recent announcements of closing indoor sport facilities would have on the outdoor community sports.

“TFA is reconvening with Sport Australia and relevant authorities today to seek expert advice

on whether the Community Sport Guidelines put in place last week will remain or change,” the statement said.

“A further update will be provided by TFA, the NSW Touch Association and Queensland

Touch Football following those discussions this afternoon.”

Originally published as Police called to Townsville touch footy game in wake of coronavirus