This was to be feared and the darkest scenario envisaged unfortunately became reality. The coronavirus took its toll on the Qatar MotoGP Grand Prix, leaving only Moto2 and Moto3 to launch the Grand Prix season. The staff of the stables in these categories were already in Losail for the three days of testing before the authorities lowered the barrier at their borders to Italian and Japanese nationals. Given this situation, it is hard to believe that Thailand will not be impacted by this worrying situation...
Unlike the Qatar which closes its doors, Thai authorities officially still leave them wide open. But in this case, it is the desire to cross them that risks lacking. Under penalty of suffering the consequences of quarantine as soon as we want to leave to go elsewhere.
And this elsewhere, on the MotoGP calendar, these are the USA, and more particularly Texas, on the site ofAustin. Thailand's new law designating Covid-19 as a dangerous communicable disease also came into force on Sunday, giving authorities power to combat the spread of the virus. And for good reason: the Thai Ministry of Public Health announced the first death due to the new coronavirus. Thailand reported 42 cases of infection, including 30 were allowed to return home.
In total, the epidemic has so far caused nearly 3.000 dead for more than 86.000 cases in around sixty countries – including nearly 80.000 cases for 2.870 deaths in China, where activity has been largely paralyzed since the end of January by anti-contagion measures. Below is the world map showing the most affected countries…
