The Australian Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) has chosen to postpone the 2020 Condesa Co Lab Australian Coffee Championships from the end of March to later in the year.
This follows the World Health Organization officially naming the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic.
This impacts the Vitasoy Barista Championship, Pauls Professional Latte Art Championship, TCX Cup Tasters Championship, Sttoke Brewers Cup, and Monin Coffee in Good Spirits Championship.
The AMC Coffee Roasting Championship preliminary round will still proceed in a closed format offsite.
ASCA says it must have the health and safety of not only its community but also the broader community of Australia in mind. This is particularly important when considering the diverse locations the spectators, volunteers, judges, and competitors will be travelling from to attend the championships.
This risk management decision aligns with the response of world governments and other event facilitators who have adopted the strategy of limiting the movement of people to decrease the rapid spread of COVID-19.
At this early stage, ASCA does not have an exact date and location for the rescheduling of the National Championships. The ASCA board says it’s committed to holding the 2020 Condesa Co Lab Australian Coffee Championships in Adelaide if at all possible, however, will review and confirm the new date and location in the coming weeks.
Over the past few weeks, ASCA has monitored the outbreak and its impact on the 2020 Condesa Co Lab Australian Coffee Championships. It says it has sought the best outcomes for all stakeholders who have invested in preparing for these competitions. It was deemed a requirement to announce any postponement by 13 March 2020 in fairness to all stakeholders.
