As you may or may not be aware, the government this week announced further measures to curb the outbreak of Covid-19. These measures effectively prohibit public gatherings of more than 500 people. 

These latest measures have resulted in the Cancellation of the Premier Club Launch Day to be held at UMS this weekend; those matches are now to be held as per the draw, on a normal home and away team basis. 

Premier Draw please visit http://www.mooloo.co.nz/community-rugby/draws-and-results 

At this stage, and subject to any further measures from the government, it is considered that standard and/or schools matches are unlikely to reach the 500 attendee limit, and may therefore continue as scheduled. 

However, we don’t live in a Police State, so if your club or school (Including stakeholders and supporters) is participating in WRU managed competitions and is unwilling to run the scheduled matches due to concern for the safety of your community, then you are well within your rights to default on those matches, or cancel them by agreement with the opposition – I would like to think that you would be supported by all of us if you took that position.  All we would ask is that you let us know if this is the case so that we can let referees and any other interested parties know.

For COVID-19 advice and guidelines please visit www.health.govt.nz       

Advice to Rugby Participants:

• Follow the Ministry of Health Guidelines: www.health.govt.nz

• Regularly wash hands

• Stay at home if you are feeling unwell

• Use personal water bottles – don’t share with others

• Ensure rugby equipment is regularly cleaned

• Do what is best for you and your communities to keep them safe and healthy

Article added: Tuesday 17 March 2020