Saturday 27 / July / 2024
Bogota: After confirming more cases of people testing positive for coronavirus in several countries of the American Continent, governments continues to take extreme measures to prevent its spread.
America is on high alert, as the virus is already present in practically all the countries of the continent, with the exception of El Salvador, Nicaragua, Haiti and some Caribbean islands.
Recently Uruguay and Guatemala reported the first infections and two deaths from the disease were confirmed, one in Argentina and the other in Ecuador.
Brazil
Football matches scheduled for the next few days in most Brazilian states, including Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, will be played behind closed doors.
In Rio de Janeiro, the authorities ordered this Friday the closure of show halls and stadiums for two weeks to face the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
The city’s mayor, Marcelo Crivella, said the measure will take effect from Monday.
On the other hand, the governor of the state of Rio, Wilson Witzel, indicated that “the holding of events and activities, including those already authorized, involving crowds of people, such as sporting events, shows, fairs, etc., will be suspended for 15 days, in open or closed places.
United States
In the US, President Trump has declared the State of emergency: “I am officially declaring a national emergency,” said Trump on Friday, adding that he would use all the power of the federal government to tackle the contagion. Main sports have been shut down in the previous days, with NBA, MLS and NHL suspending their season. Other sports add now to the unfortunate list:
Motor Sports
Due to the recent ban on travel to Europe from the United States, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) announced that the 68th edition of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, scheduled for March 21 has been postponed. Likewise, the date of the Michelin Pilot Challenge was rescheduled, a competition that had to be held the weekend of March 18-21. The two races will run between November 11-14, and the Sebring Twelve Hours will become the end-of-season event of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar 2020 Championship.
Roll-Skating
The Orlando Inline Challenge in Florida, United States, one of the most striking international skating events of the 2020 season has changed its date. Under the new health circumstances, it was rescheduled from October 5th to 11th 2020. The competition was re-scheduled from April 6th to 12th 2020. On the same date, the Indoor World Skate Seminar will be held for coaches and judges. The event will take place at the Astro Skating Centre, located in Azalea Park in Orlando, Florida.
Puerto Rico
The Puerto Rico Olympic Committee issued a resolution requiring all its affiliated federations to immediately suspend all competitive sports activities as a measure to protect the health and safety of their athletes, managers, employees and the general public. This guideline includes teams, leagues, and clubs affiliated with federations and agencies. This measure will take immediately effect and will be in effect until March 31st 2020, being understood that it may vary depending on future developments.
The Puerto Rican basketball, volleyball and baseball federations have already ruled and issued the decision to suspend their respective tournaments on the island.
El Salvador
The smallest country in Latin America is in quarantine and for 21 days. The country’s president, Nayib Bukele, declared that the entry of foreign persons who are not residents or of the diplomatic bodies is prohibited.
In addition, the Salvadorian president suspended the concentrations of more than 500 people, therefore all sporting and artistic events are postponed.
