Coronavirus clashes with Birmingham’s Crufts
As fears continue to grow about the spread of Coronavirus in the UK,sponsors of the world’s largest dog show in Birmingham have asked staff not to attend.
Two of Cruft’s major sponsors, pet food firms Royal Canin UK and James Wellbeloved, have asked their teams not to attend the dog show unless absolutely necessary.
The event, at Birmingham’s NEC, attracts visitors from around the world. In 2019:
The 413 Italian dogs accounted for the largest number of foreign entrants in last year’s competition.
That statistic has proved worrying for some - with an outbreak of the disease currently spreading across Italy.
So far, over 2,500 people have tested positive for coronavirus there - the most outside of Asia.
The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has also announced it will not be attending.
Event organisers have said Crufts 2020 will still take place, but with enhanced protection measures.
The Kennel Club, the show's organisers, have said hand sanitiser stations will be placed at entrances, toilets and catering areas.
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