Authorities recommend 27,000 athletes not to shake hands and fans keep distance
The marathon going through Music Center.
Photo:
Jonathan Moore / Getty Images
Despite the health emergency for coronavirus declared this week in the county, The Los Angeles Marathon will be held on Sunday As scheduled.
But the authorities made some recommendations on Friday of prevention for both athletes and spectators of the race in its 35th edition, whose route starts at Dodger Stadium and ends near the Santa Monica Pier.
"We are not currently recommending the suspension of any large public event," said Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, through a statement.
Recommendations for event attendees include stay six feet away from others and that those who feel sick do not leave their homes, while for runners it is recommended that they wash their hands before the start and that don't shake hands with other athletes or spectators.
The Los Angeles Marathon is one of the largest in the world. About 27,000 athletes are expected for the different competitions, including participants from the 50 states of the country and from a total of 78 countries. The first tests on Sunday – wheelchair – are scheduled at 6:30 am.
Although the event is standing, lThe situation is kept under monitoring. The count of people infected in the county until Friday night it was 13 out of 69 cases in California.
"We are actively monitoring the situation and communicating directly with the participants via social channels, email and our website to update them as we learn more, ”Murphy Reinschreiber, director of the McCourt Foundation, organizer of the event, told the Los Angeles Times.
The health emergency declaration in the county It means providing the necessary public resources to face a possible crisis. It is a preventive measure.
