The 2023 Tour de France Will Reportedly Reintroduce Anti-COVID Mitigation Measures for This Year's Race
The 2023 Tour de France will reportedly reintroduce anti-COVID mitigation rules, French outlet The Local reports.
These measures could include mask-wearing for journalists and members of the crowd. According to Reuters, riders will face restrictions on their movement outside of race times, including a ban on eating out at restaurants or anywhere outside their hotel rooms and from signing autographs. Riders will also be asked to wear masks in the team paddock and at sign-on, although not while cycling.
"For all the team members: Respect a confinement - Limit the interactions outside the race bubble. No eating out. Respect social distancing at the hotel," said instructions seen by Reuters. "Do not get too close to the spectators - Social distancing, no selfies, no autograph."
Amaury Sport Organisation, which organizes the Tour de France, has not publicly confirmed these restrictions, although they have been reported by multiple outlets.
The move comes after the Giro d'Italia saw an outbreak of COVID-19 cases that forced leader and race favorite Remco Evenepoel to withdraw from the competition after testing positive.
The Tour de France runs from July 1 to 23.
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