FIM & Dorna decided to cancel the 2020 MotoGP Qatar race because of the travel restrictions
The FIM, IRTA, and Dorna Sports have announced that the first race in the 2020 MotoGP calendar has been cancelled. This decision comes as a result of the growing concerns and travel restrictions enforced due to the Coronavirus Covid-19.
Although the MotoGP class will not race at the Qatar round, the Moto2 and Moto3 races will be held between March 6-8 because the riders and teams are already present at the track following the three-day official test at the Losail circuit.
"The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has resulted in Qatar travel restrictions being brought into force that affect passengers from Italy, amongst other countries. As of today, all passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy or having been in Italy in the past two weeks will be taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.
"Italy clearly plays a vital role in the Championship and in the MotoGP class – both on track and off – and therefore the decision has been taken to cancel the premier class competition," announced the FIM, IRTA, and Dorna Sports.
Furthermore, Thailand has also reported its first coronavirus fatality in the last few hours, so we could expect that the second round of the 2020 MotoGP calendar to be cancelled as well.
So, we might see the first round of the MotoGP class to take place at the Circuit of the Americas which was initially scheduled to host round three of the world championship.
The reason given is due to the influence of the audience from Italy. Moto2 and Moto3 competitions are still normal.