KINGSTON, Jamaica — Digical Foundation is assuring the public that the newly-declared state of public emergency (SOE) in sections of the Corporate Area will not affect activities at the Digicel 5K Run for Special Needs, which will be held at the Digicel headquarters in downtown Kingston on October 6.

“Registration numbers are strong, and with added security from this state of emergency, participants should feel even safer,” Running Events Director Alfred ‘Frano’ Francis said in a release today.

Francis noted that the race route will not take participants through police checkpoints or cordoned off areas, and as such, it will be business as usual for everyone involved.

“The race route was always secure. We have full support from the police and other security personnel. We have also made provisions to accommodate route changes for persons to get in and out of downtown, so the State of Emergency doesn’t really change anything for us,” he continued.

The Digicel Foundation said it is targeting 13,000 participants, up from the 10,000 last year, as it seeks to make 2018 its biggest year yet, noting that it has raised $41 million from six 5K events so far.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Sunday declared a state of public emergency in the St Andrew South, Kingston Central and Kingston Western police divisions. He said it would last initially for 14 days.