Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - A message from Football South Australia

With attention at an all-time high in relation to the Coronavirus disease, Football SA would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some information on this disease and how we can work together to prevent the spread of infection.

What is Coronavirus?
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness caused by a new virus.

What are the Symptoms of the virus?
Symptoms can range from a mild cough to pneumonia. The symptoms of the virus include (but are not limited to) fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath.

How is the Virus Spread?
The infection is most likely to spread from person to person through:

  • Direct contact with a person while infected;
  • Contact with droplets when a person with a confirmed infection coughs or sneezes: or
  • Touching objects or surfaces (such as door handles or tables) that were contaminated with virus-laden mucus from a cough or sneeze from a person with a confirmed infection, and then touching your mouth or face.

Requirements of all Stakeholders
All stakeholders should continue to practice good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene. Football SA is reinforcing the Department of Health recommendations as outlined below as well as implementing other preventable measures;

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet.
  • Cover your mouth and nose when you cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
  • Drink bottles are not to be shared. Each participant should have their own drink bottle, which is clearly labelled and is only used by that individual.
  • If a club provides drink bottles, they are to be cleaned thoroughly prior to use and are to be allocated to individual players for individual use.
  • All change rooms and toilets are to be provided in a clean and hygienic state.
  • Soap is to be provided in all toilets.
  • Players and Match Officials are not to shake hands prior to or after games.
  • Football SA acknowledges that players will make contact during games however minimizing contact will reduce the spread of the virus. Minimising the personal contact of Match Officials will also reduce their risk, which is essential because without Match Officials some games can not proceed.


What if you do Develop Symptoms
If you develop symptoms, as outlined above, within 14 days of last contact with a confirmed case, an appointment is to be made with your doctor immediately. Please ensure you telephone your health clinic or hospital prior to arriving and provide all details including your travel or if you have had contact with a confirmed or potential case of Coronavirus.

Clubs and officials are asked to keep Football SA staff up to date with any developments relating to the spread of the disease. It is important that we act swiftly to limit risk to others.

What is Football SA Doing?
Football SA is continuing to monitor the situation daily and is in constant contact with the SA Health, the Office for Recreation Sport and Racing and FFA. Football SA will be directed by SA Health in terms of any further action that is required.

Football SA is developing contingencies if the spread of this virus takes place in South Australia. We will continue to monitor the situation and will keep all stakeholders informed of any changes that may need to be implemented throughout the 2020 season.