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Zika fears not impacting Singapore GP
Friday, 05 Sep, 2016
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Fears over the Zika virus have so far not affected interest in Singapore’s biggest annual sporting event.
Organisers of the Singapore Formula One race, which takes place in less than two weeks, say ticket sales have not been impacted since Zika was first detected in Singapore last month.
There has been no downturn in the all-important corporate and VIP ticket sales, and a capacity crowd is expected for race weekend.
"At some point we knew Zika would come through Asia, it was a little bit unfortunate maybe that Singapore grabbed some of the headlines. We just get on with it," said Michael Roche, executive director of Singapore GP.
Race weekend usually attracts more than 250,000 spectators for Formula 1’s only night time street race.
The fast moving spread of the virus has infected at least 189 people in just a week.
The Formula One race teams themselves expect the race to go ahead as normal, but are taking some extra precautions for team members.
"We are supplying anti-mosquito products and long-sleeved outfits, and we have sent yesterday a brief to everybody about how to take care," said Eric Boullier, racing director for McLaren.
Health officials have said the spread of the virus has already moved outside the original hot zone of the Aljunied district and residents throughout the heavily populated city state are at risk.
"We have re-draw the battle lines. We have to first admit defeat to Zika and accept that the whole country is at risk," said Leong Hoe Nam, an infectious disease specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena hospital in Singapore.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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