During a press conference on Wednesday morning, the mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida said the season opening IndyCar Series race remains on schedule with few significant alterations this weekend.
The affirmation was necessary due to two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Pinellas County.
“If you don’t feel well, please stay home and watch the race on NBC Sports Network,” mayor Rick Kriseman said in a Tampa Bay Times report. “As it relates to this race, attendees and residents of the city should know that we are taking every precaution we can to ensure it is a safe experience.”
As of now, event and city officials said they have data that suggests the area hosting the 1.8-mile street circuit is at low risk for community spread.
In the name of public health, event organizers have increased the number of hand washing stations around the venue. Event staffers will make additional rounds to disinfect commonly touched surfaces like handrails and door handles.
And of course, the promotional group is encouraging fans to steer clear of the event if they have felt sick or have recently traveled to any of the international hot spots like China, South Korea, Italy or Iran.
Even promoter Kevin Savoree of Green Savoree Racing Promotions says there has been no consideration of holding the event in front of empty grandstands.
“There have been no conversations at all about (it), other than the 16th annual Firestone Grand Prix is on,” Savoree said. “If that situation changes, then we’ll deal with it.”
Savoree added that the event does not have insurance that covers the outbreak or any effects on the race.
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