Hong Kong Race Week has been postponed as the government takes further emergency action against the spread of the coronavirus. Race Week, an event for junior sailors, is one of the largest dinghy regattas in Asia, and was to have taken place from February 4 to 9. It is organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), the Hong Kong Sailing Federation (HKSF) and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC).
“Following the HKSAR Government’s raising of the response level to emergency status, the LCSD has cancelled all of their major events and urged community groups to take public health risks into account when organising any large scale event,” a statement on the event website read.
Race Week is part of the Asia Sailing Federation (ASAF) Youth Cup, which sees young sailors compete across Asia in two kinds of dinghy – Optimists and Lasers.
A new date has not been set.
“We will provide further updates once the organising committee have had the chance to review any new recommendations from HKSAR Government and have been able to find a suitable date to reschedule the event to,” the statement said.
Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor announced on Tuesday a series of measures to stop the spread of the virus, which has infected nearly 6,000 people and claimed 132 lives as of January 29. The government has reduced the amount of visas it is issuing to mainland travellers, and has cut the amount of flights to the mainland too.
The Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, due to take place on February 9, and the 9 Dragons ultramarathon, scheduled for February 1 and 2, have been cancelled.
