UAE Tour stopped due to coronavirus: two staff members infected

The UAE Tour is being stopped due to the corona virus. Due to two infections among staff members of a cycling team, the organization has canceled the last two stages as a precaution.

Riders have been told by the authorities that they are not allowed to leave the hotel. All riders and support staff will be tested for the virus.

Jumbo-Visma, Mitchelton-Scott, Israel Start-Up Nation and Chris Froome (who is part of the field of participants) reported the cancellation on Twitter. Not much later, confirmation from the organization followed.

Update 11.35 pm

A statement from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council confirms that the UAE Tour is not going any further. Two Italian participants would have been tested positive for the corona virus. Whether it concerns two riders, is not yet known. Earlier, Italian media reported that they were UAE Emirates staff members.

“This decision was made to guarantee the safety of all participating riders. Safety is at the top of the list of priorities, “says the Sports Council. Where necessary, the necessary procedures will be initiated, for example by placing infected people in quarantine. The Ministry of Health of the United Arab Emirates says so.

Update 11.53 p.m.

Two Italian staff members from a participating cycling team have been affected by the corona virus. This confirms the organization of the UAE Tour in an official press release. All other people in the hotel, including riders and other staff members, are checked.

?? #UAEtour

We have duties note of the cancellation of the UAE Tour due to the occurence of the coronavirus. We wish all the people involved the very best, awaiting further developments.

– Team Jumbo-Visma cycling (@JumboVismaRoad) February 27, 2020

#UAETour The final two days of racing is canceled due to concerns around Coronavirus.

Riders and staff remain at the hotel and will be tested shortly, with their health taking priority.

We hope anyone affected makes a fast recovery.

– Mitchelton SCOTT (@MitcheltonSCOTT) February 27, 2020

Breaking news ISN: We’ve got an official word that 2 suspected corona virus cases have been found in the The team’s hotel in Abu Dhabi. #UAETour canceled. We are all going to be checked for the virus in the next few hours.

– Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@YallaIsraelSUN) February 27, 2020

Movistar Team confirma ha ha recibido de los organizadores del #UAETour la notificación sobre la cancelación de la prueba. Todos nuestros miembros se encuentran bien y pasarán and las próximas horas and su hotel de Abu Dhabi los pertinentes tests para descartar cualquier afección.

– Movistar Team (@Movistar_Team) February 27, 2020

Following the cancellation of the #UAETour we are monitoring the situation closely. We will follow the guidance of the relevant authorities and support them in managing this situation. The health and safety of all staff and riders is paramount.

– Team INEOS (@TeamINEOS) February 27, 2020

It’s a shame that the #UAETour has been canceled but public health must come first. We are all awaiting testing and will remain at the hotel until further notice. I hope those affected make a speedy recovery and there aren’t any further cases #coronavirus

– Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) February 27, 2020

Authorities have teams, staff, and media at the UAE Tour to remain in their hotels. Although we are awaiting official confirmation, the race has apparently been canceled over coronavirus concerns, with individual health checks being conducted now.

– CyclingTips (@cyclingtips) February 27, 2020

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