The General Committee of the Piobaireachd Society has taken the decision to postpone the 2020 conference due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Conference was due to be held in the National Piping Centre in Glasgow next Saturday, March 21.
PS President Robert Wallace said: ‘Holding the Conference in the circumstances was considered unwise and we have taken the decision to postpone it.
‘Further arrangements for the Conference and AGM will be announced in due course. It is very disappointing, but we think this action appropriate given the concerns over the spread of the virus.’
Meanwhile the NPC has issued this statement regarding Covid-19: ‘In response to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, the National Piping Centre is aware that this is a global crisis and with situations changing daily. Currently we at TNPC are taking our responsibilities to students and visitors very seriously, trying to ensure the least amount of disruption to staff, studies and visits here whilst putting health and safety first.
‘The National Piping Centre is currently operating as usual, with lessons still as planned and shop, restaurant and hotel open for business. We are keenly monitoring Government Guidelines on this.
‘We would ask all students and customers to be aware and be sensitive to their personal behavior as Scotland is at a stage where personal health behavior is an essential tool in the containment of the virus. These following actions are important:
Washing your hands often – with soap and water.
Covering your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in a bin.
Use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
Avoid close contact with people who are unwell
If you are worried about symptoms please call your GP or NHS24 (111). Do not go directly to your GP or other healthcare environment – phone instead.
We strongly encourage a social distancing for all greetings – ie no handshakes, hugs. Specifically for pipers we would also add:
Please keep to your own instrument, do not share pipes or chanters and be aware of how you are treating reeds etc.
The Bagpipe Shop will not allow you to try reeds before purchase for the time being.
If you are maintaining your pipes, please ensure that all tissues, materials used are disposed of within our building.
The National Piping Centre is committed to your health, and as such has plentiful soap and water in all public bathrooms, as well as hand-sanitizer through out the building for public use. We are aware that this is a moving and rapidly changing situation and The National Piping Centre team will continue to be led by Government and NHS advice.’
