Covid-19: Trail runners to be allowed to silently consume bananas alone in certain areas of race

The government is to allow trail runners to consume bananas in certain areas during this weekend’s Hysan Island Hike & Run. However, they must do so alone and without talking, to comply with Hong Kong’s strict rules designed to counter the spread of Covid-19.

“[W]e would like to thank the Hong Kong government for official banana confirmation today in making it clear that at this weekend’s Hysan Island Hike & Run bananas will be served at checkpoints…” a Facebook post by organiser Action Asia Events said on Tuesday.

It added that organisers would hand out the fruit at checkpoints, though they could not be consumed at checkpoint areas. Runners may bring their own food too but are urged by the government to avoid talking whilst eating.

“Staff members will be deployed to remind runners to observe the above requirement,” the Facebook post added.

The city is one of the few places in the world still imposing strict social distancing rules. Public gatherings remain limited to 12, eating and drinking remains banned on public transport, and arrivals to Hong Kong must undergo almost a dozen Covid-19 tests.

Hong Kong has seen 1.07 million cases of Covid-19 since the onset of the pandemic, and 10,501 deaths according to the government’s dashboard.

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