Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality announced late Sunday night that “as a precaution against the potential spread of coronavirus, the Israel Ministry of Health has instructed the Tel Aviv-Yafo Municipality to restrict the participation of international runners in the Tel Aviv Samsung Marathon, taking place this upcoming Friday. Marathon officials will contact registrants abroad to inform them of the Israel Ministry of Health’s decision. Registrants’ money will be fully refunded.”
Of all the registered runners, about 3,000 are foreign nationals. The City said last week there were cancellations by close to 1,000 runners from Asian countries—who are banned by the health ministry from entering Israel.
The Tel Aviv Marathon, sponsored by Samsung, has been around for 12 years and is considered the biggest sporting event in Israel. Approximately 39,000 Israeli runners are expected to participate this year.