Masks and other COVID-19 protocols to return to 2023 Tour de France
Race organizers hope to prevent spread seen in Giro
Photo by:
Sirotti
According to Reuters, Tour de France organizers have implemented a stringent COVID-prevention protocols for the 2023 edition. As part of these measures, riders and team staff are prohibited from signing autographs and dining outside of their hotels. These policies are in contrast to last year when participants were permitted to leave their hotels. Initially, reporters had access to the paddock at the start of the stages, but midway through the race, organizers made the decision to close it off in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
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“For all the team members: respect confinement, limit the interactions outside the race bubble. No eating out. Respect social distancing at the hotel,” a chart that a journalist from Reuters saw, read. “Do not get too close to the spectators—social distancing, no selfies, no autographs.”
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On Friday, France recorded 3,204 COVID-19 cases within the country. By comparison, during the same period last year, France was reporting approximately 25,000 daily cases.
In response to a similar situation, Giro d’Italia organizers implemented COVID-19 protocols in May when the race reached its halfway mark. This decision was prompted by the withdrawal of the overall leader, Remco Evenepoel, who tested positive for the coronavirus.
