Please bookmark the link www.cantoo.org.au/coronavirus. We will be updating it with revised advice on the impact of COVID-19 on our programs as the situation evolves.
Last updated – 5pm 12 May 2020
Summary
-
Can Too will re-open training programs for group sizes limited to a maximum of 10 from Monday 18 May as part of the Run into Spring training program.
-
Can Too participants do not have to continue fundraising on their current program however fundraising will be left open for those who can continue supporting cancer research
-
Can Too are offering safe alternatives to continue supporting the health and wellbeing of all community members with 3 virtual programs:
- our gift to you - a free four-week program
- a more extensive 10-week Strength and Cardio Virtual Program with video led sessions from Can Too Coach Presenter Sally Lynch and
- a corporate program - please click here to request more information.
How to stay informed about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Crisis
-
For the latest Australian Federal Government updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19) check here: https://www.australia.gov.au
-
Download the official government “Coronavirus Australia” app in the Apple App Store or Google Play, or join the WhatsApp channel on iOS or Android.
-
Please note the advice released 29 March from the Australian Government:
-
That everyone should stay home unless you are: shopping for essentials, receiving medical care, exercising or travelling to work or education.
- Public gatherings, excluding household members, have been reduced to a maximum of two people. Check State and Territory websites for further enforcement information.
-
Also please listen to ABC’s dedicated podcast ‘Coronacast’: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/coronacast/
Where to find mental health support
-
For a list of National help lines and websites please visit: Beyond Blue: https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/national-help-lines-and-websites
Important message from Annie Crawford AM
Please see the video message below from Can Too’s Founder Annie Crawford AM on the Coronavirus (COVID19) Crisis.
Resolution of Extraordinary Board Meeting
On the morning of Friday 20 March, in an Extraordinary Meeting, the Can Too Foundation’s Board of Directors made the difficult decision to suspend all face-to-face components of our training programs from Sunday 22 March 2020, until further notice.
This decision recognises the importance of physical distancing crucial to reducing the spread of the COVID-19 virus and, as a registered Health Promotion Charity, our significant responsibility to do everything possible in the ‘prevention or the control of diseases in human beings’.
How will Can Too implement this resolution?
As a vibrant community, we understand the importance of social connection, particularly in times of crisis. Many community members expressed a strong desire to safely continue training, recognising the importance of physical and mental health during such challenging times.
As a result, Can Too are offering safe alternatives to face-to-face training that seek to maximise physical separation and reduce the spread of the virus, while maintaining strong social connections by keeping people working towards health and fitness goals, through our email and social media communications.
The safety and wellbeing of our entire community – which includes our participants, our volunteers, our coaches, and our staff – remains our highest priority.
How does this affect my fundraising?
As of today, participants do not have to continue fundraising on their current program, in recognition of the rapidly changing economic environment. We encourage those who feel that they can continue to fundraise to please continue fundraising as this is crucial for cancer research. Every little bit helps and together, as a community, we’ll get through this.
What this means for your program
The final face-to-face training session ran on Saturday 21 March 2020 to participants who were registered in a training program. Attendance was voluntary and subject to all participants adhering to strict Government guidelines on reducing infection risk, please see below.
Guidelines to reduce infection risk
For those who attended the final face-to-face session on Saturday 21 March 2020, the Government guidelines on physical distancing and personal hygiene was enforced.
If you are sick, stay at home – that is the most important thing you can do.
Physical distancing is important because COVID-19, when spread from person-to-person, happens most likely through direct close contact. So, the more space between you and others, the harder it is for the virus to spread.
Department of Health has released a fact sheet.
You should also practise good hand and sneeze/cough hygiene:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and water, before and after eating, and after going to the toilet; and
- cover your cough and sneeze, dispose of tissues, and use alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
These simple, common-sense actions help reduce the risk of infection to you and others. These actions will help to slow the spread of the disease in the community – and you should be using them every day – in your home, workplace, school and while out in public.
Can Too will continue to operate programs
This resolution is not a ‘shutdown’ of Can Too’s operations. From Sunday 22 March onward, our dedicated team continue to work tirelessly to support our participants in whatever ways we can, safely, without physical proximity.
We welcome support from the community on ways that we can support you – if you have ideas on what we might do to continue supporting our people, or in the expertise and infrastructure that might help us deliver it, we want to hear from you. Please contact us at info@cantoo.org.au.
Thank you for your patience with us while we navigate our way through these unprecedented circumstances.
