Tokyo Marathon Cancelled
I saw in today's The Guardian , yes I read it almost everyday, and noted that the Tokyo Marathon has been cancelled. Forty Thousand Entries being told to stay home. With the Olympics only five months away, you don't want 40,000 wheezers running through the streets and boroughs of the nation's capitol and maybe one percent of that mob having been in contact with someone who has or has had the corona virus contaminating the air. The entry fee for the Tokyo is $165, multiply that by 40,000 and you get a $6.6 million to be sent back. The Elite Marathon will continue as scheduled however. Now if you are an elite runner, how willing are you to risk it? Probably a pretty safe bet that you won't get sick, but....... When the Spanish Influenza circled the globe in 1918 millions died. We're taking better precautions these days but there is no guarantee that everyone will be spared. American casualties in WW I were greater from the Spanish Flue than from bullets and artillery fire...
Seoul Marathon Still on
Dave Elger, an old friend and very good marathoner living in South Korea has informed me that there are 30 confirmed cases of the virus in South Korea. Consequently some restrictions are now being placed on the Korea Marathon which is coming up shortly. However at the time of this writing, the race is still on. This is another 40,000 ($70 entry feex 40K = $2.8 million) entries with an international half marathon. The international half has been postponed to September. They may be able to pick up a few Tokyo Olympics stragglers needing some pocket money from that race. Their marathon is still on, but with a lot of caveats.
Here are a few of the things the Korea organizing committee has posted. Some a bit confusing but nevertheless.
Thank you for all the love and support. Also, we would like to appreciate 40,000 runners and 4,000 volunteers for participating in the 2020 Seoul Marathon.
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We are currently receiving numerous inquiries if the COVID-19 outbreak affects Seoul Marathon schedule. The Seoul Marathon Committee confirms that at this moment all preparations for the race are in accordance with the original schedule.
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However, we strongly recommend considering your cancellation and request a refund, if you don't feel well or are insecure about the situation before February 24th, 2020 at 6:00 PM. (Korean local time GMT+9)
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The Korean government has advised all citizens and travelers who have been to China within the past 14 days or have fever, cough or breathing problems, not to participate at mass or public events. We urge all the participants to strictly follow this recommendation.
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If you are currently staying in China, please reconsider your participation in accordance with the measurement of Korean government.
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Korean government has also announced that the following procedure will be applied to the citizens and travelers who arrive in Korea.
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-Hubei issued passport holders or any foreigner who visited Hubei province within the past 14 days are not allowed to board a flight heading to South Korea.
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-All visas issued by Korean consulate in Wuhan are not valid.
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-Flight transfer in Korea of Chinese passengers without a visa regardless of their departure is not allowed anymore.
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-Any foreigner who is eligible for a Visa to enter Korea is not allowed to transfer in Korea without a Visa.
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-Every passenger who arrives in Korea from China, Hong Kong and Macau must provide a valid mobile phone and number.
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-Every foreigner who arrives in Korea must fill out a Health Questionnaire.
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-Every foreigner who arrives in Korea must fill out a Travel Record Declaration.
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-All passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau must check their fever and cough symptoms by thermal cameras and thermometers.
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-If you have no significant symptoms it is mandatory to download Self Diagnosis Mobile App and report fever, cough and breathing difficulty immediately if those symptoms should occur.
⠀
-All passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau should provide and verify contacts and addresses in Korea.
⠀
We are currently receiving numerous inquiries if the COVID-19 outbreak affects Seoul Marathon schedule. The Seoul Marathon Committee confirms that at this moment all preparations for the race are in accordance with the original schedule.
⠀
However, we strongly recommend considering your cancellation and request a refund, if you don't feel well or are insecure about the situation before February 24th, 2020 at 6:00 PM. (Korean local time GMT+9)
⠀
The Korean government has advised all citizens and travelers who have been to China within the past 14 days or have fever, cough or breathing problems, not to participate at mass or public events. We urge all the participants to strictly follow this recommendation.
⠀
If you are currently staying in China, please reconsider your participation in accordance with the measurement of Korean government.
⠀
Korean government has also announced that the following procedure will be applied to the citizens and travelers who arrive in Korea.
⠀
-Hubei issued passport holders or any foreigner who visited Hubei province within the past 14 days are not allowed to board a flight heading to South Korea.
⠀
-All visas issued by Korean consulate in Wuhan are not valid.
⠀
-Flight transfer in Korea of Chinese passengers without a visa regardless of their departure is not allowed anymore.
⠀
-Any foreigner who is eligible for a Visa to enter Korea is not allowed to transfer in Korea without a Visa.
⠀
-Every passenger who arrives in Korea from China, Hong Kong and Macau must provide a valid mobile phone and number.
⠀
-Every foreigner who arrives in Korea must fill out a Health Questionnaire.
⠀
-Every foreigner who arrives in Korea must fill out a Travel Record Declaration.
⠀
-All passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau must check their fever and cough symptoms by thermal cameras and thermometers.
⠀
-If you have no significant symptoms it is mandatory to download Self Diagnosis Mobile App and report fever, cough and breathing difficulty immediately if those symptoms should occur.
⠀
-All passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau should provide and verify contacts and addresses in Korea.
Depending on further situations, conditions may change. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates accordingly. Thank you in advance for your understanding.
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