Another international sporting event, one scheduled to take place in B.C.害羞草研究所檚 Northern Interior, has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Health minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.害羞草研究所檚 provincial health officer, announced early Thursday afternoon the 2020 World Women害羞草研究所檚 Curling Championship, slated to run March 16-24 in Prince George, be postponed indefinitely.

害羞草研究所淕iven the changing global circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak, in World Health Organization害羞草研究所檚 COVID-19 pandemic declaration and the increasing risks of community spread at large public gatherings, we are announcing today that we have recommended to the World Curling Federation that it postpone the 2020 World Women害羞草研究所檚 Curling Championship in Prince George,害羞草研究所� Dix and Henry said in a joint statement.

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Teams slated to participate at the World Women害羞草研究所檚 Curling Championship include: Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Russia, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland and the U.S.

害羞草研究所淲e made this decision after careful deliberation with local public health officials and the event organizers. We understand what the championship means to the athletes who have trained hard to compete, but the health of British Columbians is our first priority.

害羞草研究所淲e will continue to actively monitor COVID-19 and focus our efforts on containment in B.C.害羞草研究所�

With the event now not taking place the World Curling Federation said it will consider the implications on Olympic qualification and discuss potential changes that will need to be considered with all the relevant stakeholders.

World Curling Federation President, Kate Caithness, said it害羞草研究所檚 an extremely disappointing situation.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 with regret we害羞草研究所檙e announcing it is no longer possible to run this world championship,害羞草研究所� Caithness said. 害羞草研究所淗owever, the safety of our athletes, officials, staff and supporters is paramount which we cannot guarantee with the fast-evolving nature of this worldwide situation.害羞草研究所�

The announcement comes just a day after the NBA announced it was suspending its season due to a player testing positive for COVID-19, and the NHL announcing Thursday morning it will put a halt on its 2019/20 season until further notice.

sports@wltribune.com
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