Home Reports Bahrain Formula One race to run without fans amid virus outbreak

Bahrain Formula One race to run without fans amid virus outbreak

Over fears about the Coronavirus, Bahrain’s Formula One race this month will be run without spectators, the island kingdom announced Sunday.

The decision by Bahrain is just the latest disruption felt by the Mideast over the virus and the COVID-19 illness it causes.

The wider Mideast now has over 6,200 confirmed cases of the virus, the majority in hard-hit Iran.

Bahrain’s Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad’s announcement was carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency. The crown prince said the decision was “to preserve the safety of citizens, residents and racing fans.” The race is scheduled for March 22.

Bahrain, an island nation off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf, has so far reported 79 confirmed cases of the new Coronavirus. The kingdom has drastically cut air travel and urged residents who recently traveled from Iran to present themselves for testing, warning that those who don’t could face prosecution.

The decision to run the race with participants only was a major decision for Bahrain. It cancelled its 2011 race over Arab Spring protests there, but held the race in 2012 with fans in attendance.

Meanwhile Sunday, stock markets across the Mideast suffered sharp drops.