Coronavirus Information 2020

We have had many inquiries and questions about health concerns regarding
the coronavirus (COVID-19). While it is not our role to make statements regarding
health issues, we encourage NA groups to discuss the situations you are facing
and the options you have to provide safe environments for those who attend your
meetings. Groups may want to consider asking members to temporarily stop some
of the common practices found at NA meetings such as hugging or shaking hands,
or offering refreshments. You may also want to consider alternatives to “circling
up” at the end of the meeting.
Some groups are discussing contingencies for the possibility that they will not
be able to meet face to face for some period; ideas include hosting phone
meetings or online meetings. These are just a few thoughts; we honor each NA
group’s responsibility to discuss and determine what is best for their meeting.
You may want to contact your national or local public health agencies for
specific guidance regarding meetings and gatherings. We are aware of the
guidelines and recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control
(CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/ and there are similar agencies in countries outside
of the USA. The World Health Organization (WHO) may also be a resource
https://www.who.int/.
If you are seeking information about specific local NA events or meetings,
please contact the service committee responsible for hosting that event or
meeting, or visit their local NA website. We have heard that some events and
meetings have been affected by mandated closures, but we do not maintain a list
of those and we are not the best resource for current information for local events
and meetings. On our Find a Meeting webpage, local websites are listed in the
window on the top left side of the page: https://www.na.org/meetingsearch/
We are hopeful that NA members and groups can continue to provide support
for one another as we move through this current situation, and we will update this
information as necessary in the coming weeks. You have our best wishes.
(NA World Services, 12 March 2020)