Europe ITF Taekwon-do Federation

The Czech Taekwon-Do ITF Federation welcomes the decision of the Czech Republic and other European countries that have taken emergency measures against the spread of COVID-19

On 10 March 2020, the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic adopted the following emergency measures at an extraordinary meeting of the State Security Council:

Effective 10 March 2020 at 18:00, all theatrical, musical, film, and other artistic performances, sports, cultural, religious, dance, traditional and similar events, and other gatherings, exhibitions, festivals, pilgrimages, tastings, markets and fairs, both public and private, with participation of more than 100 people at the same time shall be prohibited until further notice.

This prohibition does not apply to meetings, sessions and similar actions of constitutional bodies, public authorities, courts and other public or private persons (e.g., a general meeting of a joint-stock company) that are held under the law.

The Czech Taekwon-Do ITF Federation welcomes this decision, wherewith the Czech Republic joins other European countries that have taken similar emergency measures against the spread of COVID-19.

At this moment 61 people with this disease have been confirmed in the Czech Republic, with the vast majority of them having little or no symptoms and being quarantined at their homes. Nobody in the Czech Republic died of this disease.

We believe that these emergency measures, both in the Czech Republic and other European countries, will be essential in the fight against this disease throughout Europe and will ensure its gradual retreat, so that the events in April can take place without any problems.

The Czech Republic takes a very responsible approach to organizing the European Championships in Taekwon-Do ITF and is currently not preparing any cutbacks nor the cancellation of the event.

The accommodation, food, transport, and other material and personnel support for all registered participants is already secured and paid from the received deposits and the resources of the Czech Taekwon-Do ITF Federation.

Similarly, the Europe 2020 Judo Championship, which will take place in Prague on 1‑3 May 2020, is in the same situation and they are not planning to cancel the event either.

Therefore, we ask all participating countries not to suspend their preparation for the championships and not to cancel their transport (flight tickets, etc.).

Airlines do not deal with the current situation in a standard way and any cancellation fees will certainly be handled with regard to the ongoing emergency.

Only in case the situation in Europe deteriorates significantly and the Czech Republic (via the Czech Prime Minister) does not allow the realization of the championships in full or limited setting, we will inform you by 1 April 2020 about other possibilities (no spectators, shifted date or different place, cancellation, etc.).

We publish all information regarding the European Taekwon-Do ITF Championships on the official website www.2020prague.eu and on social networks.

The information is then taken over by the official EITF website www.eitf-taekwondo.org.

Thank you for noting this information and I sincerely believe that we will all meet soon in Prague.

Prague, March 10, 2020

Mr. Marek Lazor

President of the Czech Taekwon-Do ITF Federation