Organizers of the Paris-Nice race announced that the French government has restricted the size of the rally in light of the coronavirus outbreak, restricting public access at the race site.

The French Ministry of Health placed a limit of 1,000 people on the size of any rally on Sunday evening after the number of people infected with the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 reached 1,126, up 20% from the previous day.

"To comply with the French Ministry of Health's ban on gatherings of more than 1,000 people, the Paris-Nice organizers, along with government authorities, have decided to hold the race "behind closed doors," race organizer ASO announced Monday.

"A buffer zone will be set up at the start and finish of each stage, 100 meters from the podium at the start and 300 meters from the podium at the finish, to restrict public access."

"Paris-Nice organizers will unite riders and fans

Last week, RCS Sport cancelled major spring events Strade Bianche, Milan-San Remo, and Tirreno-Adriatico after the Italian government introduced severe restrictions on travel and public gatherings due to the world's second largest coronavirus outbreak in northern Italy or had to be postponed.

According to local authorities, six people on the UAE tour were infected with the virus, resulting in the quarantine of several teams in Abu Dhabi: Astana, CCC Team, Mitchelton Scott, Team Ineos, and UAE Team Emirates. Astana, CCC Team, Mitchelton Scott, Team Ineos, and UAE Team Emirates.

The race organizers decided to allow one additional rider for each of the remaining teams, giving new invitations to Circus-Wanty Gobert and B&B Hotels-Vital Concepts.

The race started on Sunday as scheduled.