With the recent spread of the much publicised Coronavirus (COVID-19) across Asia and Europe, the club has received a number of questions regarding how we are dealing with the situation.
The club is treating the situation seriously and there have been meetings involving Niall McWilliams (Managing Director), Dan Harris (Academy Manager) and Andrew Caton (Head of Academy Sports Science and Medicine), with input from Amy Cranston (Head of Medicine) and Rebecca Whiticar (Club Doctor).
After those meetings and after guidance by the EFL to all clubs, Oxford United will continue to follow guidance set out by Public Health England. Specifically:
- If a person becomes unwell but has not recently travelled or not had any contact with a person who has recently travelled to the affected regions specified by the government, then normal practice should continue (i.e. make the club aware and treat as recommended/required).
- If a person becomes unwell and has recently travelled or has had any contact with a person who has recently travelled to one of the affected regions specified by the government, they are to remove themselves into self-isolation and call 111 for further guidance.
Public Health England recommend to assist with stopping the spread of a virus, such as Coronavirus, that we are all very diligent with the following, and we ask fans coming to games to help us:
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately
- wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Public health advice is widely publicised and is regularly updated at www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirusinformation-for-the-public
It is important to stress that no cases have been reported in or around the club but we will be closely watching developments over the course of the next few days, weeks and months.
We will look at each incident on a case-by-case basis, seek expert advice and act accordingly to ensure that we are able to give all our staff, players and families the best possible care and protection moving forward should the need arise.