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Hello to all our  Members and Club Secretaries

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As the Coronavirus continues to dominate headlines around the world, we are sure you will agree that these are unusual times. We are facing restrictions that we have never experienced in my memory. It's hard to face the fact that we must do things that we don't want to do, face risks we don't want to face, and make choices we don't want to make. There is severe worry for our hobby, our clubs, our friends, and ourselves.   

We know you're receiving information from airlines, service providers and media. We want you to know that we care about the health and safety of all the members of our NZCF family above all else. 

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At this stage we can only follow the recommendations of the Government and Ministry of Health.

Please keep yourself up to date with information as it is released with this link to the Ministry of Health’s website  https://www.health.govt.nz/node/10690 

There may come a point that shows will have to be cancelled due to the Government banning public gatherings. There is to be a further announcement from the Government on this shortly,  however until that time, it is a decision that each individual club needs to decide within their own committee, whether their shows go ahead or are cancelled. 

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NZCF have been asked about insurance cover, however these situations are classified as "an act of God" therefore are not covered by any Insurance Company.  

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Latest news reveals the Australian Government has advised all Australian citizens to reconsider any non-essential overseas travel from this point of time and this includes travel to New Zealand. 

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As you may have heard CFA have cancelled all shows from March 16th until May 31st, other countries may very well follow suit as their governments bring in restrictions also.

 The key point from today’s press release, that the NZCF would like to point out to all Clubs is: 

Please note that as from midnight Sunday 15th all travellers, except those coming from the Pacific Islands, will have to self-isolate for 14 days on their arrival to NZ – this will affect all international judges that your club has contracted. 

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This will immediately affect any international judge your club may have already contracted.

Your club may need to consider.

1.  If you have International Judges and have already booked tickets, check what the Travel Insurance policy cover,  as mentioned above, Travel Insurance may not cover "acts of God". If tickets have not already been obtained, you may wish to postpone their contract and source a local judge.

2. The dreaded word "Refunds" to the exhibitors if the Government decides Public gatherings need to be cancelled.  As a club you will need to think about what you are going to do around refunds to the exhibitors who have paid. 

3. A "Closed Show" this year may also be an option your club wishes to look at, only allowing exhibitors in, however this would obviously be a huge loss of income for your club.  It will up to each club to decide how they wish to handle the public.

4. If you are going to allow public in as per normal the possibility of having signs up everywhere. Especially on entry advising them to stay away if they have been in contact with anyone unwell or feel unwell at all.

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Pandemic (world-wide disease outbreak)

• If you are sick, stay home and keep away from other people, avoid visitors

• Wash and dry your hands when handling food, using the bathroom, wiping child’s nose, looking after sick people

• Use tissues to cover coughs and sneezes, throw tissues away after use, wash your hands

• Give fluids to people with fever and/or diarrhoea

• Paracetomol can be used bring down high fevers

• See www.moh.govt.nz/influenza for further advice

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Please stay safe out there, look after yourselves and those around you.

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