In light of the continuing and escalating coronavirus epidemic and the likely effect that it would have on attendance and participation in the Singapore Yacht Show next month, as well as the obvious health risk, Singapore Yacht Show 2020 has been postponed until October 2020.

“We have over the last few days sough the opinion of our major exhibitors and partners as to whether they thought we should postpone the event to later in the year,” starts Andy Teadwell, CEO & Founder of Singapore Yacht Show. “The overwhelming response has been that we should indeed do so, and our own assessment of our responsibility for the health and safety of all of those both working at and attending the show only servers to affirm this decision.

“So, we now need to reluctantly announce that our 10th anniversary edition will be postponed to October 2020, by which time we hope travel restrictions and public perception of danger will have eased. The exact dates are yet to be agreed with our host venue partner, ONE°15 Sentosa Cove.”

At the time of writing, the total number of coronavirus cases in Singapore stands at 28, with four new cases having been reported today. According to BBC News, it is believed that the third person in the UK to be diagnosed with coronavirus also caught it in Singapore. The government is now telling travellers arriving in the UK from a total of nine Asian countries and territories to check for symptoms.

“This is an extraordinary situation for which nobody is to blame, of course, but we nonetheless sympathise with all our exhibitors, sponsors, partners and visitors for any inconvenience that the situation is causing. Our own business is going to be significantly affected too, but we feel we must do our bit to help stop yet more people becoming ill or suffering loss,” continues Treadwell. 

“I am lucky enough to have a team who are totally loyal and supportive, as are our long-term business partners, and all agree wholeheartedly that we will pull together and get through this difficult period to enjoy an even bigger, better and more successful than ever Singapore Yacht Show in October 2020.”

The extent to which coronavirus is likely to effect the superyacht industry, either directly or indirectly, remains educated guess work at best. However, as the situation continues to deepen, SuperyachtNews will continue to follow the outbreak with its diligent reportage. How, for instance, might the postponement of Singapore Yacht Show to October 2020 have an impact on the already congested show season?

The Ministry of Health has this afternoon upgraded its Disease Outbreak Response level to Orange, which means we should do all within our power to limit further spread of the virus.

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