A-League and W-League matches will go ahead without restrictions
The Football Federation of Australia has confirmed that A-League and W-League matches will go ahead as normal this weekend, bucking the trend for other sporting events, like the Australia v New Zealand ODI, which is playing to an empty stadium tonight.
In relation to the leagues, FFA can advise that this weekend’s round 23 matches for the A-League and the semi-finals of the W-League will all proceed as scheduled. However, in consultation with clubs, we will have agreed mitigation protocols to be in place for all matches.
At this stage there remains no restrictions around football events, however we are conscious to ensure a safe working environment for our players, match officials, staff and volunteers. Additionally, we are also working with stadia to optimise sanitation protocols for fans to ensure their safety.
Victoria reports first case of community transmission
We are still after full details from the Victorian department of health and human services, but the Victorian health minister, Jenny Mikakos, confirmed this earlier.
Yesterday, she suggested the policy on allowing major events may change once community transmission — that is, an infection of Covid-19 in a person who has no known link to a previously identified case, and who hasn’t recently travelled overseas — occurred in Victoria.
Flight Centre closes 100 stores across Australia due to business impact from coronavirus fears
Flight Centre will close 100 stores across Australia in response to the coronavirus.
In a statement to the Australian Securities Exchange, the travel company said the “virus’s spread and increased travel restrictions mean demand is softening significantly and [the] timeframe for recovery is unclear”.
The number of job losses is unclear.
The statement, approved by CEO Graham Turner, said the company would look to transfer staff to other shops.
“We are now seeing significant softening and expect this to continue into April at least,” Mr Turner said.
The company said it was implementing other short-term strategies including:
- introducing flexible work arrangements to allow staff to switch from full time to part time
- reduced trading hours in some remaining stores
- staff encouraged to take leave during a slowdown tipped for March and April
- a recruitment freeze, and
- deferral of some non-essential projects and capital expenditure
The company said executives would also go without performance bonuses.
Mr Turner said the company would draw on its experience in getting through the SARS outbreak and the global financial crisis (GFC).
“As we saw with both SARS and the GFC in Australia, the rebound can be relatively fast and strong after a fairly significant downturn in international travel,” he said.
Flight Centre’s headquarters is located in South Brisbane.
Today Queensland Health confirmed eight more cases in that state taking the total number to 35.
Authorities have also estimated almost 3,000 people are in self-isolation at home.
source: Guardian/ABC
