The Tour de France has officially been postponed after French President Emmanuel Macron declared Monday that no major rallies will be held before mid-July to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tour de France was originally scheduled to run from June 27 to July 19, but plans were already underway to postpone it until late July. Last week, speculation was reported that the race would start in Nice on July 25 and finish in Paris on August 16.

According to earlier reports, the host cities had agreed to hold the race later in the summer.

Organizer ASO said last month that the Tour de France will not be held "behind closed doors" like Paris-Nice.

President Macron has decided to extend the French blockade until May 11, lifting it in stages only if the incidence of COVID-19 declines.

The virus has killed more than 14,000 people in France.

Schools, restaurants, cafes, cinemas, and other leisure activities will be closed until May 11, and summer festivals will not take place until mid-July. This move by the French government comes a month before the ASO wanted to decide to postpone the event.

ASO also runs the Criterium du Dauphiné, which was originally scheduled to run from May 31 to June 7. However, the ASO agreed with the UCI's decision to postpone the races until June 1, including the Dauphiné, due to the coronavirus.

This eight-day race has historically been considered a prelude to the French Grand Tour, but opportunities to reschedule it in July are limited.