Bahrain GP bans fans in coronavirus prevention measures

Just two weeks until the Bahrain Grand Prix, race organisers have announced a total ban on fans attending the Formula 1 race this season as part of its plan to tackle the coronavirus.

Earlier this week, organisers halted ticket sales to manage the number of fans attending the race from outside the country. But after working with Bahrain’s health authorities the measures have been ramped up to put the race behind closed doors and allow access to only F1 personnel.

Bahrain GP officials say the precautions have been taken to come into line with the country’s “aggressive social distancing measures” to prevent the spread of the coronavirus which has recently exceeded 100,000 cases worldwide.

Currently, Bahrain has reported 85 cases of the COVID-19 virus, with six people already recovered, which edges it ahead of Australia’s current cases record of 78. Australia hosts the 2020 F1 opener at Albert Park one week before the Bahrain round with the majority of the F1 paddock expected to fly directly between the two nations.

“Given the continued spread of COVID-19 globally, convening a major sporting event which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travellers and local fans to interact in close proximity, it would not be the right thing to do at the present time,” a Bahrain GP statement confirmed.

“But to ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event.

“We know how disappointed many will be by this news, especially for those planning to travel to the event, which has become a cornerstone event of the international F1 calendar, but safety has to remain our utmost priority.”

F1 has already seen its Chinese Grand Prix postponed due to the coronavirus, while the sport continues to closely monitor the situation surrounding the Vietnamese Grand Prix which is scheduled to host the third round on April 3-5.

MotoGP has needed to cancel its premier class race at its 2020 opener in Qatar this weekend due to the 14-day quarantine requirement for travellers arriving in the country from Italy, while it has also postponed the Thailand round which had been set to take place on March 20-22. World Superbikes has also postponed its Qatar round scheduled for March 13-15.

Formula E has also been victim to coronavirus action, with its Chinese (cancelled) and Italian (postponed) rounds already hit.

The F1 paddock will be joined by both F2 and F3 support classes at the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend.