2020.06.04

About the “Road Map” for Official Events of the 2020 SUPER GT Season – GTA Co., Ltd.

　We would like to convey our best wishes to all of those infected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) and their families and loved ones, and we pray that the deceased may rest in peace. At the same time, we wish to express our sincere appreciation to the members of the medical community who have put their hearts and souls into the ongoing fight to contain the pandemic, all the while being exposed to the risk of infection themselves so that the rest of us can live our daily lives with assurance.

 

　Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, we who are involved in the SUPER GT series have taken measures to help prevent further spread of infections by postponing the series scheduled events in line with government countermeasure policies, etc. And, due to the need for continued awareness of the risk factors leading to infection, we announce the following measures we are currently taking to ensure that the 2020 SUPER GT series can be held safely and smoothly.

 

　We have now posted this year’s revised schedule for all SUPER GT Official Events, so please refer to the following URL.

　≫ 2010 SUPER GT Series Official Event Schedule Revisions

 

１． Societal conditions surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and GTA countermeasures

【March】 Day 1st：The decision was made to hold the Official Tests at Okayama with no spectators due to the                                                       nationwide spread of COVID-19 infections.

　          14th-15th：Official Tests at Okayama held with no spectators

　【Pandemic Countermeasures】

　　・All entering the venue were required to submit an Interview Questionnaire and Symptom Check Form

　　・Those suspected of infection were not permitted to enter the circuit

　　　 18th：The decision was made to postpone the Okayama opening round due to the nationwide spread of                                             COVID-19 infections.

　  The decision was made to hold the Official Tests at Fuji Speedway with no spectators

　【Pandemic Countermeasures】

　　・All entering the venue were required to submit a Medical Questionnaire and Symptom Check Form

　　・The body temperature of all entering the venue was measured

　　　 27th：The decision was made to cancel the Official Tests at Fuji Speedway due to the nationwide spread of                                         COVID-19 infections.

　　　 30th：The decision was made to postpone round 2 at Fuji and round 3 at Suzuka due to the nationwide                                             spread of COVID-19 infections.

 

【April 】 6th： The decision was made to postpone round 4 in Thailand and round 5 in Malaysia due to the spread                                           of COVID-19 infections in Southeast Asia

　　　　   8th：A state of Emergency was declared for eight of Japan’s prefectures

　 　　   16th：A State of Emergency was declared for all of Japan’s prefectures

 

【May】  4th：The State of Emergency period was extended

　　　   14th：The State of Emergency is cancelled for 39 of Japan’s prefectures

　　　   21st：The State of Emergency is cancelled for Osaka, Kyoto and Hyogo

　　　   25th：The State of Emergency is cancelled nationwide

 

【June】 4th：A Road Map is announced for the rescheduled SUPER GT Official Events and the countermeasures to                                          be adopted

 

 

２． Contents and Countermeasures under consideration by GTA for the holding of SUPER GT Official Events (Official Tests and Official Races)

【Considerations and Preparations for the Opening of the 2020 Series】

　　　　1) Expecting all rounds to be held without spectators

To reduce the risk of infection by the spectators and related teams/staff, etc., the series will be started with expectations that all rounds will be held without spectators (except the overseas rounds). Further consideration of the event formats will be made in stages based on close ongoing observation of the spread and/or contraction of the COVID-19 pandemic and the related societal conditions/developments.

　　　　2) Reconsideration of race schedules and venues to minimize risk of infection by personnel during transit

In consideration of reducing the risk of infection while using public transportation during transit between venues, the series schedule has been planned while limiting the race venues to ones that the team members can get to easily using their own cars, etc.

　　　　3) Guidelines have been set for COVID-19 infection countermeasures at the official events

In order that the 2020 series can be held safely and smoothly, a set of virus infection prevention measures has been drawn up for all SUPER GT-related personnel to follow strictly.

　　　　4) Appointing “Health Control Managers”

Each team, etc., will appoint a “Health Control Manager” to be responsible for maintaining daily the physical condition and health of the staff personnel. The Health Control Managers will be the contact point with the GTA, circuit officials and with the relevant health center or medical institution should a member of their team becomes infected.

　　　　5) Setting “Guidelines for Venue Entrance and Forbidding Activities”

“Guidelines for Venue Entrance and Forbidding Activities” have been set for the purpose of forbidding entrance to a venue or issuing prohibitions on daily work in the garages or corporate activities. These Guidelines are set for the purpose of identifying possible infected persons based on responses to medical questionnaires or reports from the Health Control Managers and enabling the prior issuing of orders to prevent such persons entering the circuits or orders to cease everyday operations and the like to prevent cluster infection among teams or at places like offices.

 

【Preparations and infection countermeasures to be implemented for Official Tests and Races (14 days in advance) 】

　　　　1) Applications of personnel planning to enter a venue and limiting entrance numbers

In order to keep the number of people entering each the venues for the official events of the 2020 series to an absolute minimum, each team, etc., will submit a prior application for the number of personnel they wish to bring to the venue.

　　　　2) Medical questionnaires, symptom checklist forms for health control

It will be mandatory for all personnel entering each circuit to submit a medical questionnaire covering and sickness and record of activities over the past 14 days and a symptom checklist listing daily body temperature and things like colds.

 

【Infection countermeasures during an Official Event】

　　　　1) Submitting Symptom Checklist Forms

During official events, all personnel present at the given venue must submit a Symptom Checklist filled out in the morning before they left their home or lodging with their body temperature and symptoms of things like colds. The contents of all of the forms will be checked by GTA’s Medical Delegate, Dr. Yamaguchi, and anyone suspected of infection will be prevented from entering the circuit.

　　　　2) Measuring body temperature of everyone entering the venue

During an official event, everyone entering the venue will have their body temperature measured by thermometer or non-contact temperature sensor. Personnel identified as having a high temperature (fever) will be diagnosed by the GTA’s Medical Delegate, Dr. Yamaguchi, and entrance denied if necessary.

　　　　3) Preventing the “3 forms of close contact” at the circuit

By reviewing the way things like event schedule briefings are held and things like frequent air circulation in the pit areas, the “3 forms of close contact/closed spaces” will be prevented.

　　　　4) Infection countermeasures at lodging facilities

In addition to strict adherence to wearing masks, washing hands, mouth wash and uncovered coughing at hotels, all personnel will obey directive regarding use of restaurants, bars, etc., and thus act with concern for the local citizens at the lodgings used.

 

【Infection prevention countermeasures after an official event and response in the case of infections (14 days after the event)】

　　　　1) Health control and reports of sickness from the Health Control Managers

For 14 days after participation in an official event, the Health Control Managers will make a team health report each day, and in case of high temperatures or noticeable health problem by any team members/staff, the manager will make a detailed report to GTA. Based on these reports, the GTA will issue a directive to the Health Control Manager and share the information with the circuit involved.

　　　　2) Dealing with health centers or medical institutions

If by chance someone becomes infected, the GTA, the circuit involved and the Health Control Manager will work as a team to consult with the local health center or medical institution.

 

３．About the 2021 SUPER GT Series

　Since March of this year, we have responded to the rapid nationwide spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic by taking measures toward the series opening with a top priority on reducing the risk of SUPER GT competitors becoming infected during transit between race venues, resulting in changes in the race schedules and venues. We wish to express our apologies for these unavoidable changes to all the fans who were looking forward to seeing races at the circuits that are no longer on this season’s SUPER GT schedule and all the people involved at each venue.

　During this year we will be making preparations for next year with the intention of once again holding races at all of the circuits as we have in the past.

　It now looks as if the coronavirus pandemic is receding, but we cannot deny the possibility of it striking again in a 2nd and 3rd wave, so we know that we have to continue to use utmost caution in our decisions going forward. For now, we will stick to the guidelines of this Road Map stringently so that this year’s season can be conducted safety and smoothly.

　Let us conclude by asking for the continued understanding and support of the SUPER GT series by all of the fans and related persons who have supported us until now.
 

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