Health & Safety Guidelines
HEALTH & SAFETY PROTOCOL
OPAP LIMASSOL MARATHON 2022
EXECUTION OF THE EVENT
In the context of planning the event of the OPAP Limassol Marathon 2022, the Organizing Committee, the Municipality of Limassol, and the A.A.A.C proceeded to determine the execution of the event on March 19 & 20, 2022.
This Health Protocol was drafted to protect all those involved in the event against Covid-19 and is harmonized with the instructions of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus and the Epidemiological Operations Unit.
To the extent that it is deemed necessary and evaluating the epidemiological situation in the coming period and until the execution of the event, the present will be validated according to the instructions and suggestions of experts and based on epidemiological data and suggestions of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus.
REGISTRATION & PARTICIPATION RULES
The right to register and participate in the organization of the 14th OPAP Limassol Marathon is held by persons who meet the requirements of Regulations 35(c), 35(f) and 79 of the Infectious Diseases (Determination of Measures to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus COVID-19) Decree (No.10) of 2022, as they may be amended or replaced:
(a) for persons aged 6 to 11 years, it is necessary to show either a negative laboratory test (PCR) or rapid antigen detection test (Rapid test) for COVID-19 disease, with sampling having been carried out within 7 days, or a valid certificate of recovery from COVID-19 disease, or a certificate of completed vaccination, for COVID-19 disease,
(b) for persons aged 12 to 17 years, it is necessary to show either a negative laboratory test (PCR) or rapid test for COVID-19, with sampling having been carried out within 72 hours, or a certificate of completed vaccination for COVID-19 or a valid certificate of recovery from COVID-19,
(c) for persons aged 18 years and over, it is necessary to show either a valid certificate of completed vaccination against COVID-19, or a valid certificate of recovery from COVID-19, or a negative laboratory test (PCR), with sampling having been carried out within 72 hours, or a negative rapid test for COVID-19, with sampling having been carried out within 48 hours; and
(d) for persons who are unable to be vaccinated due to a medical condition, the presentation of a medical certificate issued by the Ministry of Health and the demonstration of a negative laboratory test (PCR) or rapid test for COVID-19 disease, with sampling having been carried out within 7 days.
International runners who will travel to the Republic of Cyprus to participate in the Event will be informed by e-mail about the observance of the regulations and conditions regarding the pandemic which are mentioned in the State Action Plan for the smooth conduct of flights and the operation of airports (https://www.pio.gov.cy/coronavirus/uploads/%CE%94%CE%99%CE%91%CE%A4%CE%91%CE%93%CE%9C%CE%91%20%CE%91%CE%A1.%209%20-%20PDF.pdf ).
EVENT DETAILS
The organization of the OPAP Limassol Marathon
will take place on the 19th and 20th of March 2022 and
includes the following races:
|
RACE |
DATE |
START
/ ENDING POINTS |
|
PRIMETEL
5KM CORPORATE RACE |
19.03.2022 |
MOLOS
PROMENADE |
|
ANDREY
& JULIA DASHIN’S FOUNDATION YOUTH RACE |
19.03.2022 |
MOLOS
PROMENADE |
|
OPAP
MARATHON RACE |
20.03.2022 |
MOLOS
PROMENADE |
|
MUSKITA
HALF MARATHON RACE
|
20.03.2022 |
MOLOS
PROMENADE |
|
PETROLINA 10 KM
ENERGY RACE |
20.03.2022 |
MOLOS
PROMENADE |
|
MEDOCHEMIE
5 KM CITY RACE |
20.03.2022 |
MOLOS
PROMENADE |
The runners of the race will be distributed in starting blocks respecting the rule of approximately 2m safe distance between them, in horizontal and vertical directions. The arrangement of the blocks is defined on the start line at the starting point of the race on Molos Promenade with dimensions of 7m wide and 450m long.
REGISTRATION CENTRE
The Registration Centre of the event will be hosted in Trakasol Cultural Center in Limassol Marina and will operate in accordance with the current Health Protocols of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Commerce ("Treatment of Sars-Cov-2 coronavirus in trade fair activities"-https://www.moh.gov.cy/moh/moh.nsf/All/0D5A0919CACA4BF8C225851B003E098C/$file/Information%20Leaflet%20EN.pdf ).
Participants can apply individually or through their team leader to pick up their bib numbers from Wednesday 17.03.2022 to Saturday 19.03.2022.
The collection of bib numbers and the race pack will take place at the distribution stations which will be different for each race.
In front of each station there will be stickers on the floor indicating the waiting positions for those waiting to collect the event material. These stickers will be placed 2m apart.
The participants will be informed in advance via email about the procedure they will have to follow from the moment they enter the venue and will be required to present a safe pass which will be requested at the entrance. The use a protective mask during their stay at the Registration Centre will be mandatory.
At the entrance of the Registration Centre there will be a staff member who will monitor the flow of visitors and will temporarily interrupt the entrance if the maximum number of visitors inside the Registration Centre is reached, based on the square metres of the room.
For the bib number and race pack collection, the runners should have:
a) the confirmation email of their participation,
b) an ID card or passport; and
c) Proof of Safe Pass as required by Regulations 35(c), 35(f) and 79 of the Contagion Control ("Prescribing Measures to Prevent the Spread of Coronavirus COVID-19") Order (No. 10) of 2022, as they may be amended or replaced.
Otherwise, they will NOT be entitled to collect their bib number and race pack.
HYGIENE RULES
- Volunteers, paid staff and suppliers present in the Registration Centre will wear a protective mask and will have their hands frequently disinfected with antiseptic liquid with an alcohol content of not less than 70% by for the duration of their presence in the areas.
- Antiseptic gel with an alcohol content of not less than 70% will be available at each distribution station for both volunteers/employees/suppliers and participants/visitors.
- The Registration Centre area will be cleaned at regular intervals during the day and at the end of the day.
- A specific enclosed area will be identified that will be located away from the other areas used by the event, which will be used in the event of a suspected outbreak either among volunteers/employees/suppliers or among participants/visitors/runners.
SIGNAGE
In all areas of the Registration Centre (inside and outside) there will be signage to remind visitors of the hygiene rules they must follow, as well as the need to follow the physical distance rules (2m) and the instructions of the organisation.
In addition, an email will be sent to all those associated with the event, with the rules of the Registration Centre and the rules that runners must observe on the day of the event and during the race.
RACE DAY
BEFORE THE START OF THE RACE
All participants must wear a protective mask from the moment they arrive at the race venue until the start of the race, i.e. until they take their place at the special fixed position markers. For the disposal of the protective mask there will be a large number of bins with plastic bags at appropriate points on the blocks to the start.
The delivery of the participants' clothing (in special bags provided by the organization to all participants) will take place in different places based on the distance each runner will run.
It is recommended for runners who wish to warm up individually (running, flexibility exercises, etc.) to do so,in the areas behind the start line, avoiding running in groups and avoiding places where there is overcrowding between runners or accompanying persons.
If on the days of the event a person presents and shows symptoms of flu / common cold, this person will not be accepted.
START AREA/STARTING PROCEDURE
The runners will be divided into different blocks, each of which will have a dimension of 1000sqm and will include approximately 500 participants. The blocks will be lined up along the Molos Promenade.
Each block will be approximately 150m long in order to allow the runners to respect the rule of a physical distance of approximately 2m between them, in horizontal and vertical direction. Note that the width of each block is 7m.
When runners enter the starting block, as well as the next block, they will be placed - based on the approximately 2m physical distance rule - in specific rows of 4-5 people.
Having previously had a mandatory position/waiting position for the start, runners will start in succession, maintaining the pre-existing distances between them in each direction.
It should be noted that runners will be allocated to the starting blocks based on their performance, thus ensuring a uniform pace of movement for those belonging to a particular starting block, resulting in the least possible overtaking of runners throughout the race and the least possible confusion with other runners, other than those around them.
RACE PROCEDURES DURING THE RACE & AFTER THE FINISH
During the race it is recommended and supervised that all runners maintain their distances and adjust to the following:
- Running side by side is only safe when a safety distance of 2m is maintained between runners.
- Running side by side in a staggered formation (one in front and one behind on the right or left) is only safe when an imaginary lateral distance of 2m is maintained between runners.
- Running in groups with distances between runners shorter than those mentioned above should be avoided.
- Runners shall run wearing a jersey, which under no circumstances may be removed before, during or after the finish until the runners have collected their bag of clothing.
- The timetable of the race and the staggered start of the runners' blocks shall be arranged in such a way as to make it perfectly manageable and controllable for runners to assemble both on the course and at the finish.
- After the finish, runners receive bottled water and isotonic drink from the finish line station. At the same time, they also receive their finish medal. Volunteers staffing the finish line station supervise the distribution of the products and medal to the runners.
- Finally, the runners are directed to the area where they delivered their clothes and receive the special bag they handed in on arrival.
- Runners are asked to disinfect their hands with antiseptic solution with an alcohol content of not less than 70% by provided at the location.
- The Award Ceremonies for the first three winners of the race will be held in full compliance with the rules of physical distance and limitation of contact and in the presence of the participating winners only.
- The organization will ensure that there is a sufficient number of metal barriers - railings to seal the starting/finishing area so that spectators do not approach the area.
- Any mixing of participants and volunteers/staff with unrelated persons who may happen to be in the vicinity of the competition area will be avoided and the necessary distance will be maintained by them.
TRANSPORTATION
The transportation of the participants, volunteers, employees, judges and all external suppliers, for the purposes of the event both before and after the race, will be carried out in accordance with the Health Protocol of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Cyprus concerning passenger transport and will be in force in March 2022.
In cases where event vehicles are used with more than one person, it is essential that drivers/co-drivers and all passengers wear masks and that all passengers will have a valid safe pass.
EVENT’S RACE SUPPORT – ORGANIZING COMMITTEE STAFF
All Organizing Committee staff and volunteers who will be engaged on the day of the race will be fully trained and educated regarding the procedures and regulations of the event as well as the content of this Health Protocol.
All personnel involved in supporting the event will always wear a disposable mask and gloves. The mask and gloves will be changed regularly, as directed by the Ministry of Health.
Bins with plastic bags for the disposal of masks and gloves will be available at all event sites.
Between the support areas of the event and within the medical and care areas, a special isolation area will be provided in the event of a suspected case (one or more) either among participants or among volunteers/employees/suppliers of the event.
The support areas will be cleaned at regular intervals throughout the competition day and will have been extensively disinfected prior to use.
Antiseptic gel with an alcohol content of not less than 70% will be available at each distribution station for both staff, volunteers, employees, and external suppliers, as well as for participants.