(February 27, 2020) Breaking news from the United Arab Emirates. Jumbo-Visma has announced via social media that it has been informed of the cancellation of the last two stages in the UAE Tour.
In addition to Jumbo-Visma, Italian media report that the local authorities have taken the plunge. All riders and staff members of the teams would be tested. Those who are tested positive are quarantined for fourteen days. The riders who test negative can go home on Saturday.
Update – 28 February 2020 (07.10 a.m.): UAE Tour officially discontinued
The last two stages of the UAE Tour are no longer officially driven by the rise of the corona virus. Two Italian staff members from one of the participating teams tested positive for the virus. For that reason, the safety of all people present at the competition has been chosen.
The riders and staff members will all be tested and, where necessary, extra measures will be taken. According to journalist Raymond Kerckhoffs, all riders have already been tested. The results will be announced within 36 hours. Kerckhoffs states that three hotels are completely closed.
Update II – 28 February 2020 (10.13 hours): Results tests within 24 hours
The riders and staff members of the teams in the UAE Tour have all been tested for corona virus. The results are expected within 24 hours. Until then, all people in the closed hotels are requested to stay in their rooms. The organization provides lunch. Only after the results can it be said if and when the riders can go home. There may also be people in quarantine.
The two people who were found to be positive are not staff members of a cycling team, according to a new statement from the UAE Tour. The organization first announced this, but it was about two people from a tour group. All those involved in the UAE Tour are therefore tested primarily as a precaution.
Kerckhoffs about coronavirus
Update III – 28 February 2020 (1.06 pm): “Four corona cases in UAE Tour”
Patrick Lefevere explains The last news that there are at least four corona patients. The Deceuninck-Quick-Step team boss remains shadowy, but at least tells more about the corona soap opera in UAE: ‘There is one case with Bahrain-McLaren, one with Groupama-FDJ and two cases with UAE-Team Emirates. I don’t know if they are riders or employees. There are too few test kits at the moment, so only people who show symptoms of disease are checked, “says Lefevere.
Unlike Lefevere, the local journalist Kerckhoffs keeps up The newspapaer currently in two people who are infected. They are both members of UAE Team Emirates. ‘They have already been examined in Dubai because they felt sick and were immediately taken out of the competition. So they are currently not in Abu Dhabi. We therefore suspect that there is nobody here who actually carries the corona virus. Yet everyone is being investigated. The riders have already had their turn, we are currently being tested. With a cotton swab some mucus is removed from your nose and your temperature is measured. ‘
Opposite NU Sport let Jumbo-Visma team leader Grischa Niermann know that there is no panic. ‘We have no idea how long this can take. The organization reported on Thursday-evening that it was expected that all teams could fly home as planned on Saturday and Sunday, if no one else appeared to be infected. We can only wait and see now. ” Michael Morkov, who left the UAE Tour earlier to participate in the World Championship track cycling in Berlin, has been quarantined in Germany. ‘I feel good, but I am afraid I cannot participate. I only know that I am isolated for fear of the corona virus, “he says Politicians.
Update IV – 28 February 2020 (3.55 pm): Journalist disputes corona cases at UAE Tour, ‘most tests negative’
In contrast to earlier reports, Italian journalist Stefano Rizzato has now disputed that coronavirus is the disease case in the UAE Tour. He claims to have received confirmation that the two ‘announced’ cases are so far only a suspicion.
The Dutch journalist Raymond Kerckhoffs is now also late Twitter know that there is already a result of many tests. According to him, about fifty percent of the riders have already been tested and there are no positive results so far.
Update V – February 29, 2020 (8:25 am): 167 test results UAE caravan declared virus free
In a official statement the organization is reported to have had no positive cases of the corona virus to date. The laboratory of the Department of Health-Abu Dhabi has received 167 test results for the time being. The results of the other tests are expected in the coming hours, after which more can be said about the end of quarantine.
The newspapaer reports Saturday morning that Michael Morkov can just participate in the World Championship track cycling. No corona has been diagnosed with him either. The Dane who participated in the UAE Tour, but left early to participate in the World Championship on the track, was quarantined in Berlin as a precaution.
Update VI – February 29, 2020 (3:08 PM): ‘UAE Tour riders can go home
The riders who were in temporary quarantine in the United Arab Emirates because of the Corona virus can go home. RAI journalist Stefano Rizzato reports this on Twitter. According to the Italian, most flights will take place tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. This puts an end to waiting for a decision about their situation for many riders after the lap did not allow its last two stages to take place for fear of the virus. Earlier it was announced that there were no positive cases.
(photo: Sirotti, 2019)
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