The Port Macquarie-Hastings is not immune to the cancellation of major events with several already deciding to cancel. Several sports are meeting during this week to decide on their future for the 2020 season.

On Sunday (March 15), the NRL decided it would play round 2 matches behind closed doors and could also make a decision on the future of the 2020 competition as more information comes to light.

Closer to home, Ironman Australia's Port Macquarie event remains in limbo with the organisers continuing to monitor the situation.

The Oceania group issued a statement on the weekend admitting COVID-19 had "substantially altered" the global sports landscape.

Communications and media director Oceania, Craig Heydon, said the organisation would take all necessary precautions for athletes and residents in host communities.

"COVID-19 has substantially altered the global sports landscape and will have material impact on the mass participation industry in the immediate term," he said.

"We want to reassure participants and communities that the health and well-being of our community is our primary concern.

"To this end, we are doing our part to communicate effectively and follow public health agencies and governmental authorities' recommendations.

"We expect that there are going to be substantial and widespread event postponements in the coming weeks and months.

"The decision to proceed, restrict, modify or postpone an event will be based on availability of community resources and ongoing event-specific risk assessment in coordination with the relevant healthcare and government authorities and the Ironman Global Medical Advisory Board, an independent medical advisory board focused on health and safety.

"For events that will continue, The Ironman Group, along with the Ironman Global Medical Advisory Board, has outlined a series of pragmatic and practical actions designed to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 or any other infectious agent to athletes and to members of our host communities. These steps will help athletes achieve their goals while allowing communities to secure the benefits of hosting mass participation sporting events.

"They will be implemented worldwide at all Ironman Group events beginning March 19 and will continue indefinitely."

The Ironman Group described COVID-19 as a highly dynamic situation and we will continue to adapt and adjust as appropriate.

"We appreciate your patience in the coming days and weeks," he added.

Following the cancellation of the Sydney Royal Easter Show, the Wauchope Show Society cancelled the 2020 event which was to be held in April.

President Neil Coombes said the decision to cancel the event with done with "deep sadness".

The Wauchope Show boasts an 110-year history and has only been cancelled once - during the Second World War.

"It is with deep sadness that we have to inform the community, that it has been decided to follow suit with the Sydney Royal Easter Show and advice from government departments, and cancel the Wauchope Show due to the Coronavirus pandemic," he said.

"The board requests we be allowed space and patience while we work through all of the necessary associated paperwork.

"The Sydney Royal in its long history, has only been cancelled once before and that was back in 1919 because of the Spanish Flu pandemic.

"The Wauchope Show (which is fondly known as The Royal of the North), has only cancelled one show in its 110 year history and that was during the 2nd world war.

"We will try our utmost to bring you all a bigger and better show in 2021."

St Agnes Parish has implemented additional precautions for the remainder of term 1 due to the virus.

The Parish has put a stop to all interschool and inter-diocesan sport while parent and spectator involvement in any school-based sporting events will be "discouraged".

Staff have also been told they will not attend any professional learning course.

The school sports and events postponed include:

The Cancer Trust's Glimmer Ball has been postponed while shows at the Glasshouse went ahead on Saturday, March 14, with a decision on any future shows possibly decided this week.

Nitro Circus scheduled for March 21 at Regional Stadium has been postponed with a new date to be determined soon. The Nitro crew still plan to visit Port Macquarie this week.

"Following the Australian Government's recommendations in relation to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the remaining shows on the tour being Port Macquarie, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast and Mackay will all be rescheduled. Details of these rescheduled shows will follow next week," organisers confirmed.

Group Three Rugby League will meet on Thursday night to make a decision on the 2020 season while Coastal Premier League and Zone Premier League matches will go ahead.

Hastings League, celebrating its 100th year, will be playing.

Basketball NSW cancelled round 1 of the Northern Junior League representative basketball - and all Basketball NSW events and programs - on the weekend.

The NSW Department of Education is also introducing proactive measures to limit the impact of COVID-19 in public schools.

Mark Scott, secretary of the Department of Education, announced that schools will adopt social distancing measures requiring them to cancel assemblies, excursions, travel, some events and conferences.

Mr Scott said these measures are precautionary and designed to reduce exposure via non-essential gatherings.

"Schools have been a focus of the community and the government as the impacts of coronavirus have developed globally," Mr Scott said.

"From Monday onwards, I expect school assemblies and substantial gatherings to be cancelled, along with all excursions.

"The community expects schools to be as safe as possible. We are implementing these measures to provide peace of mind for students, parents and staff.

"These cancellations also extend to inter-school arts, sports, initiative activities and events."

All major arts, sports and initiative activities and events will temporarily be ceased until further notice. This includes whole school sporting events and inter-school events involving three or more schools.

"Local inter-school sport and other activities, can proceed but we ask organisers to ensure that as far as possible, reasonable precautions are taken," Mr Scott said.

"I trust our principals and staff to show leadership during this time."

Schools will be provided with more detailed advice and suggestions on how they can adjust their day to day activities with minimal disruption.

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