Coronavirus: The Australian GP still under threat

For now, it is still maintained. But for how much longer? As the Coronavirus epidemic continues its deadly ride across the world, Australia has not yet reached the levels of contamination seen in China, Europe, and the United States. 

For the moment, 21 people are carrying the virus in the state of Victoria, the capital of which Melbourne is hosting the kick-off of the 2020 season this week. Formula 1. However, the three most recent cases were diagnosed in recent days and led to school closures and the Albert Park Hotel. 

This Wednesday morning, Red Bull had maintained its traditional pre-season marketing and media operation but instructions were passed to respect a safety distance of two meters around the drivers Max Verstappen et Alexander albon. Or when F1 competes in skill to get between the drops.  

Is the situation tenable when 300 fans are expected this weekend at Albert Park?

« Health experts tell us we are going to reach a phase where there will be so much transmission between Victorians that we will have to take extreme measures, confided Tuesday Daniel Andrews, Prime Minister of the state of Victoria. 

We will then ask residents to do things that we have never imposed on them.

The instructions we have received at the moment do not tell us to cancel the Grand Prix, nor the start of the Australian football season. These recommendations could change ». 

Mr Andrews specifies that the question is not whether the epidemic stage will be reached but when. Before or after the opening Grand Prix?

American artist Miley Cyrus, who was due to perform on the sidelines of the race in a charity concert aimed at raising funds to help Australia after the terrible forest fires that the country has suffered in recent months, said has already canceled his visit.