The fear of coronavirus has gripped everyone all across the world. And the World Health Organization has already started on March 11, 2020, that this is the first pandemic caused by a coronavirus. COVID-19 viral disease has now affected 114 countries. Several important events and festivals are either getting canceled or postponed.
The latest in the series of a festival getting canceled due to coronavirus fear is The Randox Health Grand National Festival. According to the report, the Jockey Club has announced that the popular festival will not take place now. Earlier, it was scheduled to take place from April 2, 2020, to April 4, 2020.
Soon after the Government’s latest public health regulations regarding the social gathering and traveling and withdrawal of emergency services beginning from today, the Jockey Club decided against organizing the event.
It is worth noting that Jockey Club Racecourses had been evaluating the viability of organizing the world’s most popular Steeplechase behind closed doors with the least staff available at the site. However, the latest government guidelines on steps required to halt the further spread of coronavirus made Jockey Club Racecourses believe that organizing it behind closed doors is also not a feasible option.
According to Sandy Dudgeon, Senior Steward of The Jockey Club,
The Randox Health Grand National Festival was just three weeks away and it’s very clear to us it will not be possible for the event to take place. Public health must come first.
He also added that earlier they were trying to chalk out plans to host the Grand National behind closed doors amid its significance to the racing industry. However, soon after the latest government guidelines to assist in controlling the coronavirus outbreak, even this option becomes non-viable.
Sandy Dudgeon also said that it might be a sad update for many individuals who have been part of our sport and many others who were keenly waiting for this event to take place this year.
Randox Health 2019 Grand National was the 172nd annual running of the Grand National horse race at Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, England.
