Australian Grand Prix confirmed to be taking place despite coronavirus fears

The organisation hosting the Australian Grand Prix next week, the AGPC or Australian Grand Prix Corporation, has confirmed the event will take place on schedule at Albert Park on the 15th of March.

The event looked in danger because of the coronavirus outbreak, which has infected tens of thousands in Southeast Asia and killed over three thousand. The Chinese Grand Prix has already been postponed and the Vietnamese Grand Prix looks in danger as well, with the World Health Organisation monitoring the situation closely.

Italy has suffered a significant rise in coronavirus cases recently. This has a significant impact on Formula 1 with several teams as well as the likes of Pirelli and Dallara being based in Italy. However, people traveling from Italy (or South Korea) to Melbourne will not have to remain in quarantine for 14 days in a third country, as is the case with China and Iran. This means the Grand Prix will be able to go ahead on schedule.

"We are all systems go and gearing up for the 25th Formula 1 race in Melbourne next week," AGPC CEO Andrew Westacott announced in a press release. 

"The health and safety of everyone at the Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix 2020 is paramount.

"The Australian Grand Prix Corporation has robust health, safety and emergency management arrangements in place at each event and we are working collaboratively with health agencies and related government and emergency services organisations in addressing this matter.

"We continue to closely monitor the situation in the leadup to the Grand Prix and are taking guidance from subject matter experts, including Victorian and National Chief Health Officers and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.

"At this stage there is no indication of further travel bans, nor is there any indication that Formula 1 and the teams will not be arriving as usual.

"Formula 1 has again confirmed overnight that the Australian Grand Prix is going ahead and we’re looking forward to welcoming them and the teams to Melbourne."

Whether the Bahrain and Vietnamese Grand Prix will go ahead as planned remains to be seen, but the season opener will not be delayed.