Coronavirus forces US MotoGP race to be rescheduled

By Fatih Erel

ISTANBUL (AA) - The third stage of the World MotoGP in the U.S. state of Texas was rescheduled Tuesday as concerns grow about the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The race has been moved from April 5 to Nov. 15 in Austin, according to motogp.com.

The season opener of the 2020 MotoGP in Qatar was canceled earlier this month, while the Thailand Grand Prix was rescheduled for October 3-4 due to the virus outbreak.

As the world struggles to contain the rapidly spreading virus, fallout has forced numerous organizers of sporting events across the globe to cancel or alter plans.

International sporting events were canceled or rescheduled and some will be without spectators as the virus continues to threaten global health.

The global death toll from the virus known as COVID-19 has surpassed 4,000, with nearly 114,000 confirmed cases, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The virus originated in China but has reached more than 100 countries, with the WHO saying Monday that the “threat of a pandemic has become very real.”

As part of efforts to contain the outbreak, some governments closed borders and suspended land and air travel with the worst-hit countries.