MANILA--The number of sporting events that are now stalled due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus continues to grow as 7-Eleven postponed indefinitely its premier mountain bike race.
In a statement on Tuesday, the top convenience store chain announced that it will not hold its scheduled 7-Eleven Trail at the Timberland Heights in San Mateo on Sunday due to the current health concerns.
"Late yesterday afternoon, the San Mateo LGU informed us that we had to postpone our race, citing a memo they received only a couple of days before from Secretary [Francisco] Duque of the Department of Health," 7-Eleven stated.
Duque issued an advisory which was publicized on Monday that "strongly urges the public to avoid attending, participating in, and organizing events that draw a huge number of attendees" and "recommends the cancellation of such planned big events or mass gatherings until further advice."
According to 7-Eleven, this year's 7-Eleven Trail is expected to draw around 2,900 mountain bike racers.
The store chain also admitted that it was pondering on pushing through with the event despite the nCoV scare.
"Even as public concern over nCoV escalated, we had expected that an open-air event that required unusual levels of fitness would not unduly expose its participants to the virus any more than going about their daily routines did" the statement continued.
Eventually, 7-Eleven had to concede when the San Mateo government gave the red light to the holding of the race.
"We defer to the better judgment of the government in their efforts to contain this threat as they see it," 7-Eleven further said.
The statement concluded by saying that 7-Eleven will quickly announce the new date of the 7-Eleven Trail when the situation improves.
"We are committed to holding this race as soon as we are given clearance by the government to do so. Please stay tuned for further announcements," 7-Eleven said in conclusion.
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno
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