Novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV
by Guy Nowell 5 Feb 2020 21:39 PST
HKRW - and other events - postponed or cancelled © RHKYC / Guy Nowell
The outbreak of Novel Coronavirus is being felt all over the world, not just in China. Remarkably, it is affecting sailing, the healthiest-outdoors-and-fresh-air activity you can imagine. Some of the fall-out in Asia:
1. Hong Kong Raceweek (4-9 February), HKRW is Asia's biggest and most important dinghy regatta, is postponed. New date tba. Organised by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and the Hong Kong Sailing Federation, and supported by the HK Government in the shape of the Leisure and Cultural Services Dept, HKRW constitutes Leg 4 of the ASAF Youth Cup.
2. Hong Kong International Boat Show, aka Marina Cove Boat Show (23-26 April) has been cancelled. A notice to exhibitors was issued this morning.
3. Japan International Boat Show (5-8 March) is currently unaffected. When we spoke to them this morning, we were told "unless there is a Government directive to the contrary".
4. Taiwan International Boat Show (12-15 March), likely to be affected by a 14-day mandatory quarantine imposed on any visitors from Hong Kong or Macau. Organisers are reported to be having a meeting today (07 February) to discuss any further necessary action.
5. Korea International Boat Show (13-15 March) is postponed until either June or October. That's official.
6. China International (Shanghai) Boat Show (31 March - 2 April). We hear that it is "very likely to be cancelled, but no final decision has been made yet."
7. Singapore Yacht Show (19-22 March) will make an announcement later today.
8. The International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the International Federation of Boat Show Organisers (IFBSO) have also cancelled their combined annual Congress due to be held this year in Zhuhai in China in May, and are currently discussing alternative venues with the Italian marine trade association Confindustria Nautica which is likely to host the event in an as yet undisclosed location.
Meanwhile folks - keep washing your hands, sneeze into your elbows, sheet on and send it!
Standing by on 72.