With You Through the Ups and Downs

Oxfam Trailwalker (OTW) participants have always adopted an attitude of perseverance and steadfast determination with their teammates.
Despite the changes and challenges over the past two years, we have tried our best to strive for flexibility and to adapt.
Like organisers of other events, we have spent a lot of time and effort preparing for this event and doing our best to make the OTW as safe and smooth as possible.

Over the past few months, we have been in close contact with various government departments, and we submitted our event proposal last month.
To hold a large-scale sports event during COVID-19, we must adhere to the government’s requirements.
As such, all prevention arrangements have been made in accordance with the latest government requirements.

The following are the new arrangements this year:

1️. The event this year has been scheduled for 19 to 21 November 2021. The Start Point is located at Pak Tam Chung, Sai Kung. The Finish Point has been changed to the Leadership Training Hostel Campsite, Po Leung Kuk Jockey Club Tai Tong Holiday Camp, Yuen Long.

2️. The number of teams has been reduced significantly this year to meet the government’s requirements. There will be around 200 open teams. Results of the ballot will be posted on the OTW website on 6 September at 9:00 pm.

Visit the OTW website for further details: https://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/open-team-application-2021/

3️. Participants are not encouraged to invite or accept any kind of support (e.g. food, a change of clothes, massage, etc.) from family and friends on the trail or at Checkpoints during the event.
Instead, we will increase the variety and quantity of food and drinks at Checkpoints (e.g. individual packs of bread, biscuits, cup noodles, fruits, rice dumplings, sports drinks, etc.).
While we understand this is not comparable to what your support teams can provide, we ask for your understanding given the special circumstances.

4️. To comply with government regulations, all participants are required to receive both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine and submit their vaccination records at least 14 days before the event (i.e. on or before 4 November) in order to join the event.

5️. We must meet the government’s requirements for holding large-scale sports events under the current gathering ban.
We were notified by the government on 23 August that participants must submit a negative test report 48 hours before the event. Participants must also be tested at their own expense.
We are now trying our best to arrange more convenient and affordable testing options for participants.
Details will be announced later.

6️. If, because of COVID-19 or other unpredictable factors, we are unable to obtain permission from the government to organise an in-person event from 19 to 21 November, we will go virtual with ‘OTW – Virtually Together’.
Any application for withdrawal, refund or transfer of quota to the following year will not be accepted.
It is recommended that the team leader and members discuss whether they are all willing to accept these terms.
Learn more about ‘OTW – Virtually Together’ here: https://www.oxfamtrailwalker.org.hk/oxfam-trailwalker-virtually-together/

Participants might also be required to comply with other preventive measures requested by the government closer to the date.
We will inform all registered teams accordingly.

Visit Oxfam’s website (https://www.oxfam.org.hk/en) to learn how your donations can help disadvantaged groups improve their lives sustainably.

Side by Side, Together We Thrive.