CLIMBING ESCALADE CANADA AND THE PROVINCIAL SPORT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDE UPDATE REGARDING UPCOMING SERIES COMPETIONS AMID COVID-19 OUTBREAK
MARCH 11, 2020: The CEC and the Provincial Sport Organizations are pleased to provide the following update regarding the 2020 Competition Series, specifically as it relates to the COVID-19 virus. The CEC and its members are committed to protecting the health and safety of their staff, athletes, volunteers and coaches. The CEC, in consultation with the PSOs and Sport Canada has been, and continues to monitor developments related to the COVID-19 virus.
General Information Regarding COVID-19
As of March 11, 2020, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has assessed the public health risk associated with COVID-19 as low for the general population in Canada, we note that this assessment can change rapidly and encourage the community to stay up-to-date regarding COVID-19 developments. Additional information regarding the COVID-19 can be found on the PHAC’s website at
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
Competition Series
The CEC and the PSOs are continuing to assess the risks associated with holding events during the COVID-19 outbreak and are currently working through the risk assessment matrix provided by PHAC and the WHO. The CEC and the PSOs are also working to adopt appropriate event policies, protocols and best practices that will be implemented at upcoming Provincial, Regional and National events and we hope to share these with the climbing community shorty.
The CEC has been advised by the Canadian Sport Institute that as of March 3, 2020, there is currently no indication that event organizers need to delay or postpone sporting events in Canada, or to recommend limits on Canadian-based travel at this time. As such, the CEC and the PSOs are pleased to advise that as of March 11, 2020, all upcoming Series Provincial, Regional and National competitions will take place as currently planned; please note that the CEC and the PSOs are continuing to monitor and assess the COVID-19 outbreak as well as advisories from government organizations and as such this decision is subject to change.
The CEC and the PSOs are committed to providing the climbing community with timely information regarding the status of Series Provincial, Regional and National competitions however, the situation has the potential to change rapidly and we ask the community to be understanding during this time of uncertainty.
Ongoing discussion
The CEC Board of Directors, as well as the PSOs, have added the COVID-19 outbreak as a standing item in their monthly meeting agendas and are closely monitoring the COVID-19 developments.
Athletes, Coaches, or Parents who have questions regarding the Regional and National competitions, or the impacts the COVID-19 virus may have on such events, to are welcomed to contact the CEC’s Executive Director, Christiane Marceau, at [email protected]. Please direct all questions regarding Provincial events to your respective PSO.
For additional resources regarding COVID-19 please see:
Government of Canada COVID-19 Outbreak Update. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
Risk Assessment Matrix: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals/mass-gatherings-risk-assesment.html
World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
Government of Canada Travel Advisories. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/latest-travel-health-advice.html
Sport Medicine Advisory Committee joint message. https://www.csiontario.ca/news/advisory-covid-19
