The French authorities this afternoon ramped up their response to the coronavirus, with some major gatherings banned and other restrictions put in place.
National and local authorities have acted in response to the number of cases of the virus having increased, and clusters of cases being reported.
The public gatherings ban applies to events in confined spaces with 5,000 people or more as well as events "in an open environment where people can mix with others from areas where the virus is possibly circulating".
That may hit French cycling races and one worrying sign for cycling is that the Paris half marathon that was set for Sunday has been called off.
The next major French race in cycling is Paris-Nice, from March 8th to 15th; the opening stage one week tomorrow.
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The move to ban large gatherings in confined spaces was
agreed at a special Government meeting on Saturday afternoon.
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French health minister Olivier Véran said all public gatherings had been completely banned in the Oise region north of Paris due to a cluster of cases as well as one town in the Alps.
Véran added people there could still go out to "do their shopping" but must avoid "unnecessary travel" and "work from home if possible".
"These measures are provisional and we will
undoubtedly have to modify them over time," Véran explained of what is a fluid
situation.
"They are restrictive measures and we hope that they
last for some time because that would allow us to contain the spread of
the virus."
Some 16 new cases of coronavirus were confirmed in France
today, bring the total to 73, of which two people have died; one aged 60 years
and one aged 80 years.
So far in cycling, pro races in coming months in China
have been cancelled. The final two stages of UAE Tour were called off after two
UAE Team Emirates staff tested positive for the virus.
Some riders and staff are still in quarantine in the hotel they were staying in at UAE Tour. However, some 170 tests carried out there have come back negative for the virus.
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