Members of Cofidis and Groupama-FDJ, who were participating in the UAE tour, will be quarantined until March 14, it was announced.

Seven athletes and numerous staff members from both teams have been quarantined at a hotel in Abu Dhabi since the race ended prematurely on February 27 after two people infected with the coronavirus Covid-19 were discovered among race officials.

In a statement released on the Cofidis website, team principal Thierry Vitoux said it was a relief to be certain about the future. Shortly thereafter, Groupama-FDJ announced that UCI President David Lappartient had notified the teams of the quarantine extension.

These teams, along with Gazprom Rusvelo and UAE Team Emirates, which had remained in the country as a precautionary measure, have been in limbo for the past week as the virus was tested and retested.

"Hello everyone. We have learned that we are officially in quarantine until March 14. Sure, the deadline is far away (albeit for 10 days), but in a way I am relieved."

"Indeed, as I have had occasion to say and write, what has been difficult to live with has been the lack of deadlines and waiting for quick results. It was a source of anxiety and stress.

"Now we know what will happen, and even if the confinement continues, everyone will succeed in finding an occupation, a distraction, an activity.

The Groupama-FDJ statement confirmed that all of the team's players and staff tested negative for Covid-19, but several new infections in the hotel reported Tuesday night meant that they would have to stay longer in isolation.

"All players and staff in the UAE tested negative for Covid-19. Still, several positive tests were reported in the hotel, though not by our team."

"As a result, we have been notified by UCI President David Lapartiento that our 12 employees must observe the quarantine period until March 14, 2020.

"We do not intend to comment on this decision beyond the sport. We express our support to all those who are facing this difficult situation."

"We are not going to comment on this decision, but we will be here to help.

Many members of Cofidis have spoken out about the situation over the past few days, and due to the lack of information provided and slow progress, Director Sportif Roberto Damiani threatened to go on hunger strike to defend the team.

Team photographer Mathilde L'Azou told Cyclingnews that team morale is low, and rider Nathan Haas said how the situation is testing people's patience and "starting to wreak havoc."

Meanwhile, Vittu tried to put the news of his isolation on the fourth floor of the Crown Royal Plaza Abu Dhabi Yas Island in a positive light, calling the experience a collective adventure.

"We unite with each other and realize that we are living a collective adventure, one we did not want to live, but one that will teach us about ourselves and others," he said.

"We already tell ourselves that in a few months we will laugh among ourselves. It's proof that we already have a plan. Let us remain optimistic and positive. Thank you for your messages of support that warm our hearts."

The news of the teams' extended quarantine follows the revelation Tuesday night that six new cobid-19 cases were found at the race site; the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention reported that two Russians, two Italians, one German, and one Colombian had contracted the virus

The UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention reported that two Russians, two Italians, a German, and a Colombian were infected with the virus.

Four teams remained in the UAE, with Jesús Herrada, David Gaudou, Arnaud Demare, race runner-up Tadey Pogachar, and Fernando Gaviria all affected. The remaining teams, the race organization, and the journalists who were covering the race were allowed to leave the country on Sunday after all tested negative for coronavirus.