The Kennel Club Statement on Coronavirus

4 March latest update

Following discussions tonight, Defra and their Chief Veterinary Officer’s advisors, as well as the Department of Health and Social Care, have emphasised that their advice has not changed following speculation of an isolated case of a dog testing ‘weak positive’ for Covid-19, which is inconclusive at this stage. The dog has not shown any clinical signs of CoV infection and further investigations are being carried out - we need to know the facts to fully evaluate the situation.

Dogs of course are the heart of Crufts and the Kennel Club, and we have enhanced measures and precautions at the show to protect them, and our advice to our visitors and exhibitors must be to follow the most up-to-date advice from the medical experts.

We continue to monitor the situation with the Department of Health and Defra, and any further updates will be issued on our official social media channels and website.

2 March 2020 update

Further to the government COBRA meeting held on Monday 2 March, and following further discussion, the Kennel Club can confirm Crufts 2020 is currently going ahead as planned. 

Public Health England has not advised us to cancel the event. We are looking forward to welcoming our exhibitors and visitors as usual. However, this does remain an evolving situation and we will continue to adhere to the best available advice.

We must be guided by the facts and most up-to-date medical information and at the moment, advice from Public Health England has not changed - the most effective thing people can do to protect themselves is make sure that they wash their hands for 20 seconds or more. Following the COBRA meeting, the government has said it is "important that people go about their business as usual" for the time being.

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.

We are ensuring all exhibitors are aware of current travel restrictions and guidelines, and adhere to these. All individuals without exception are expected to abide by the advice of their relevant governments and national and international laws with regard to self-isolation and restrictions on travel. However, it is advised that everyone should familiarise themselves with the UK government advice and make individual decisions based on their circumstances and if they have any concerns to seek the advice of their doctor.

We continue to monitor the situation with the Department of Health and Defra, and further updates, as and when we have them, will be issued on our official social media channels and website.

28 February 2020 update

Crufts 2020 is currently due to go ahead as scheduled from the 5^th – 8^th 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)

27 February 2020 update

Crufts 2020 is currently due to go ahead as scheduled. We are monitoring the situation closely with the NEC, taking advice from the Department of Health, and we continue to follow advice from the World Health Organisation. We are ensuring all exhibitors are aware of current travel restrictions and guidelines, and adhere to these. Some international exhibitors will not be attending due to these restrictions and guidelines.

The Kennel Club and the NEC will be taking enhanced measures to help protect our visitors, exhibitors, clients and staff at Crufts 2020 taking place on the 5th - 8th March. 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 even easier for everyone to clean their hands. In addition Crufts will be supplying a hand sanitiser station at each public and dog exhibitor entrance.

We continue to liaise with government and monitor the implications of coronavirus. Further information or guidance will be issued as and when appropriate.

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 on travel.

14 February 2020 update

Following the outbreak of novel Coronavirus in China, the Kennel Club and the NEC will be taking enhanced measures to help protect our visitors, exhibitors, clients and staff at Crufts 2020 taking place on the 5^th - 8^th  March.

We are monitoring the situation closely and we continue to follow advice from the World Health Organisation and Public Health England, as well as that of local government.

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 even easier for everyone to clean their hands. In addition Crufts will be supplying a hand sanitiser station at each public and dog exhibitor entrance.

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 on travel.