Thailand MotoGP postponed over coronavirus - Updated

UPDATE: An official statement has now been released, no decision yet on an alternative date for the Thai MotoGP:

'As the global outbreak of coronavirus continues to develop, the Thai government has communicated that it won’t be possible to hold the OR Thailand Grand Prix on its original date. The FIM, IRTA and Dorna therefore regret to announce that the event, due to be held on the 22nd of March in Buriram, has been postponed.

'The FIM, IRTA and Dorna are currently evaluating if an alternative date is possible for the event later this season.

'Further updates will be published as soon as available.'

Following the cancellation of the season-opening Qatar Grand Prix for the MotoGP class, round two in Thailand has now been 'postponed indefinitely'.

Although there has been no official comment from Dorna or the FIM, the Bangkok Post reports that the decision has been announced by Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul.

"It is necessary for us to postpone the OR Thailand Grand Prix 2020 in Buri Ram scheduled for late March for an indefinite period since Covid-19 has been declared a dangerous communicable disease which has sent a world-wide impact," Charnvirakul said.

"This is to reflect the government's seriousness in tackling the problem. The prime minister has been informed about this."

As with Qatar, assurances had previously been made that the event would go ahead as planned, only for a sudden U-turn as the spread of coronavirus continues.

It is not yet clear if the Buriram event - which boosted the most spectators of the season, with 226,655 fans in 2019 - will be rescheduled for later in the year. The two previous Thai GPs were held in early October and it was only moved forwards to March for 2020. 

As things stand, MotoGP will now hold its first race of the year in Texas on April 3-5 but that is also seen as being in major doubt, as is the following round in Argentina.

Rumours persist that the 2020 MotoGP season might not begin until the opening European round at Jerez in May... or beyond.

The planned MotoGP calendar can be seen below.