April 14/20 8:22 am - MSA World Cup Might be Hit with Quebec Event Restriction UPDATED

Posted by Editoress on 04/14/20
 

The Quebec provincial government, struggling with the largest outbreak of COVID-19 cases in Canada, is now calling for the cancellation of all festivals and public sporting and cultural events until August 31st. This would include the Mont-Ste-Anne Mountain Bike World Cup, scheduled for August 21-23.

On Good Friday afternoon, the directive was issued, stating, "considering the evolution of the COVID-19 situation in Quebec and the need to respect the need to engage in physical-distancing of two metres for an extended period. It is therefore with a view to protecting public health that it is considered preferable to cancel festivals and other cultural and sporting gatherings, indoor and outdoor, for the summer period."

It should be noted that this appears to be a request at this stage, rather than a firm order. Gestev, organizer of the World Cup, has told us that they are working on the situation, and that the government has said that exceptions may be made in certain circumstances. However, they also said that, given current conditions, it may be required that they make alternate decisions (postponement or cancellation).