A state of confusion reigned across the Central West on Tuesday after NSW Health recommended travel between regional centres across the state be limited, among a whole new list of guidelines.
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NSW Chief Medical Officer Kerry Chant announced the changes on Tuesday as the state recorded three new coronavirus cases, and said sports should stop zone, regional or state championships or competitions from Wednesday.
Overnight stays should also be cut back, while award ceremonies and even car pooling to games is set to be pulled back. Spectators should be limited to one parent per child, Dr Chant said.
It's thrown country sport into chaos, with regional travel essential in most competitions in the Central West.
We're confident we're doing the right thing.
- CWRU CEO Matt Tink
However, most associations in the region believe they're already following rules, and new directives don't mean competitions need to be cancelled.
Central West Rugby Union CEO Matt Tink said he'd been surprised by the directive, and was seeking clarification from Rugby NSW and Country Rugby about how best to proceed.
"Our reading of it is these are recommendations, and most of these our clubs are already following and following really well," Tink said.
"At this point in time we think and we're confident we're doing the right thing."
He said he didn't expect anything to change at this stage.
The Western Rams - a region incorporating Group 10, which is still running junior rugby league competitions, the Wallerawang Landscaping Cup, and supplying players to Rams and Dubbo CYMS sides President's Cup - hadn't received advice signalling a change of tact would be needed mid-way through the season.
The status of the women's Premier League Hockey competition is likely to be more clear come Wednesday with Hockey NSW to release more information then.
Football NSW, which is running the Western Premier League and NPL sides, is also seeking clarification as to how to proceed.
The AFLCW is also inquiring what the decisions mean for its competition.