Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix boss Andrew Westacott said the opening of the Melbourne 2020 season will not follow Bahrain and run without spectators amid fears of coronaviruses.
Westacott cited the T20 Women’s World Cup final on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a crowd of over 86,000, despite many countries banning large public gatherings to contain the spread of COVID -19.
On Sunday, the organizers of the Bahrain GP announced that only “participants” would be allowed to participate in their event, and ticket holders would be reimbursed.
“Not a chance,” said Westacott, who was interviewed today by SEN sports radio station in Melbourne, whether Albert Park would follow suit.
“When you look at 86,000 people at the CWM last night, we have to go around things in a reasonable way and keep moving forward while taking the necessary precautions.
“The interesting thing is the Italian freight.
“AlphaTauri cars and Ferrari cars are on their way to [Tullamarine Airport] right now it’s really good.
“Key personnel are on board their planes. We expect them within the next 12 to 24 hours.”
Australian government medical chief Brendan Murphy said there was no risk in letting the Grand Prix take place.
“I don’t believe it,” he said at a media availability.
“Obviously, people talked about the Italian Ferrari team, but they were carefully selected along the way.”
“There is no evidence of community transmission in Victoria at this time, so I do not feel at all concerned with going to mass rallies or walking the streets of Victoria.
“So I don’t think there is a risk for the Grand Prix.”
Asked about the repercussions of mass rallies, he added: “We are certainly not at a tipping point like this at the moment.
“I think if you have had a large or large community transmission in one or more cities in the country where there was a risk for people to go to public events, this is when you should start look at that. “
He pointed out that special measures were in place for Italian visitors.
“We have paid particular attention to Italy, Iran, China and the Republic of Korea.
“I think the approach now is to have good border control for each returning traveler, and to have good practices for returning travelers to ensure that they declare and isolate themselves.”
Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix boss Andrew Westacott said the opening of the Melbourne 2020 season will not follow Bahrain and run without spectators amid fears of coronaviruses.
Westacott cited the T20 Women’s World Cup final on Sunday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a crowd of over 86,000, despite many countries banning large public gatherings to contain the spread of COVID -19.
On Sunday, the organizers of the Bahrain GP announced that only “participants” would be allowed to participate in their event, and ticket holders would be reimbursed.
“Not a chance,” said Westacott, who was interviewed today by SEN sports radio station in Melbourne, whether Albert Park would follow suit.
“When you look at 86,000 people at the CWM last night, we have to go around things in a reasonable way and keep moving forward while taking the necessary precautions.
“The interesting thing is the Italian freight.
“AlphaTauri cars and Ferrari cars are on their way to [Tullamarine Airport] right now it’s really good.
“Key personnel are on board their planes. We expect them within the next 12 to 24 hours.”
Australian government medical chief Brendan Murphy said there was no risk in letting the Grand Prix take place.
“I don’t believe it,” he said at a media availability.
“Obviously, people talked about the Italian Ferrari team, but they were carefully selected along the way.”
“There is no evidence of community transmission in Victoria at this time, so I do not feel at all concerned with going to mass rallies or walking the streets of Victoria.
“So I don’t think there is a risk for the Grand Prix.”
Asked about the repercussions of mass rallies, he added: “We are certainly not at a tipping point like this at the moment.
“I think if you have had a large or large community transmission in one or more cities in the country where there was a risk for people to go to public events, this is when you should start look at that. “
He pointed out that special measures were in place for Italian visitors.
“We have paid particular attention to Italy, Iran, China and the Republic of Korea.
“I think the approach now is to have good border control for each returning traveler, and to have good practices for returning travelers to ensure that they declare and isolate themselves.”