Swimarathon cancelled as coronavirus precaution

Swimarathon cancelled as coronavirus precaution

The organisers of the event, which was due to begin on Wednesday and was being sponsored by Ravenscroft, said they had made the decision to cancel following precautionary advice from the authorities.

Dr Ivan Muscat, Jersey’s deputy medical officer of health, said: ‘We have given this advice on consideration of the changing picture as the virus spreads in Europe and the UK, and following the recent confirmation of one case in the Island.

‘We are not currently calling for the cancellation of all large public events or calling for Islanders to avoid swimming pools altogether. However, given the large attendance, and spectators, in a warm, humid atmosphere, we are taking this precaution to limit the spread of the virus.’

The government said the decision was not directly linked to the case of the virus confirmed in Jersey on Tuesday or the self-isolation of a group of students who recently returned from Italy.

Les Quennevais Sports Centre, including the swimming pool, will remain open as usual.

Dr Muscat added: ‘The advice remains the same: the best thing people can do to limit the spread of the disease is to focus on good hand, surface and respiratory hygiene. Wash your hands frequently. Use tissues to cough or sneeze into and throw them away as soon as you have used them. Keep the surfaces you work on and touch as clean as you can. These messages will not change.’

In a statement, the Lions Club of Jersey which organises the Swimarathon, said: ‘Whilst we are hugely disappointed by this, we would hope that teams who have collected funds for the benefit of the chosen charities may still donate the money to the Lions so that the five local charities may still benefit. We will provide more information on how to donate in future posts.’

More than 400 teams made up of thousands of Islanders had been due to take part in the five-day event.

– Advertisement –
– Advertisement –