Government could cancel sporting events to help contain coronavirus
The federal government would consider cancelling events with big crowds such as AFL matches and the Grand Prix if Australia experienced a major outbreak of the deadly coronavirus.
VIC News
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The federal government would consider cancelling events with big crowds such as AFL matches if Australia experienced a major outbreak of the deadly coronavirus, Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed.
But it would come only as a last resort.
The government is bracing for the World Health Organisation to declare within days that the coronavirus crisis has reached pandemic stage, meaning ongoing outbreaks in multiple countries.
While the virus is currently contained in Australia and there has been no person-to-person transmission here, the government has activated its pandemic plans, including the potential to stop people congregating in large numbers.
Asked if this could affect events such as AFL matches, Mr Hunt said: “The possibility of events is always there, but that is a last resort”.
He said the government would implement “rings of containment’’, starting with individuals, then families, then “affected units.’’
“If we can contain those, then we can limit the impact,’’ he said.
“What we’ve done, as you would hope that a government would do, is prepare for all eventualities, but so far, in Australia, we have contained the virus.’’
AFL and Australian Grand Prix chiefs are expected to plough ahead with plans to host major events in Melbourne in coming weeks, unless told otherwise.
The AFL on Wednesday night declined to comment on the issue.
Melbourne Grand Prix chief executive Andrew Westacott said the health and safety of everyone at next month’s Albert Park race was “paramount”.
“The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has robust health, safety and emergency management arrangements in place at each event,’’ he said.
“And we will continue to work collaboratively with health agencies and related government and emergency services organisations in addressing this matter.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation in the lead-up to the Grand Prix and will take guidance from subject matter experts, including Victorian and National Chief Health Officers.”
It comes after the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix was cancelled, speculation the Vietnam GP could follow suit and Italian-based Ferrari faces logistic problems to export its staff and infrastructure.
Soccer matches in Italy and Japan were this week cancelled amid growing concerns about the virus.
The AFL is also yet to confirm whether a May 31 match between St Kilda and Port Adelaide in Shanghai will go ahead.
International Olympic Committee member Dick Pound on Wednesday said the Games were more likely to be cancelled than postponed or moved if it proves too dangerous to hold them.
Tokyo Olympics organisers have declared preparations were “continuing as planned” for the proposed late July start.
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