Crufts Update

Crufts will be issuing a further statement after today’s COBRA meeting. Crufts is currently still due to go ahead as scheduled from the 5th – 8th March at the NEC in Birmingham.

Continue reading below for the latest update as of February 28th: 

Crufts 2020 is currently due to go ahead as scheduled from the 5th – 8th March at the NEC in Birmingham. Public Health England has advised not to cancel the event and we are looking forward to welcoming our exhibitors and visitors.

We continue to monitor the situation closely with the NEC, taking advice from the Department of Health and Social Care, and Defra. We are ensuring all exhibitors are aware of current travel restrictions and guidelines, and adhere to these. All individuals are expected to abide by the advice of their national governments with regard to self-isolation and restrictions on travel.

There will be enhanced measures to help protect our visitors, exhibitors, clients and staff at Crufts. Everyone should note that the main message from Public Health England is on personal hygiene, therefore staff, exhibitors and visitors are also being encouraged to maintain good hand, respiratory and personal hygiene by employing the ‘Catch It. Bin It. Kill It’ ethos. Additional signage and bottles of hand sanitiser will be introduced in toilets and the in-hall catering areas, to make it easier for everyone to clean their hands. In addition Crufts will be supplying a hand sanitiser station at each public and dog exhibitor entrance.

Further updates, as and when we have them, will be issued on our official social media channels and website.

The Kennel Club recommends that those with concerns about the coronavirus, follow guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public and follow government advice www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Speculation regarding dogs and coronavirus in Hong Kong

Our absolute priority is the health of all dogs and visitors at Crufts. We are aware that there is speculation that a pet dog in Hong Kong has tested weak positive for Covid-19. There are ongoing tests to determine whether this is due to environmental contamination and at this stage there is no change to the veterinary guidance.

The World Health Organisation has also stated: “At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus.”

We will continue to monitor this situation closely and liaise with the Government and the British Veterinary Association, who have the most up-to-date scientific and medical facts regarding the virus. Further updates regarding Crufts, as and when we have them, will be issued on our official social media channels and website.

In the meantime, the World Health Organisation and Public Health England provide official, up-to-date information on travel and health advice.

International exhibitors

Crufts welcomes everyone. However, we have contacted some international competitors to ensure they are aware of and adhere to advice from the World Health Organisation and their own government regarding travelling to Crufts from areas most at risk of coronavirus.

Anyone with queries regarding travelling and coronavirus are advised to seek up to date information from their country’s government/embassy and the World Health Organisation.

Vanessa McAlpine (Crufts Show Manager) and Ian Gabriel (Crufts Chief Medical Officer and Kennel Club Vice Chairman)

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Posted by chesliepickett on Mar 2 2020. Filed under World News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.