The 2020 Qatar Grand Prix will not take place, at least for the top-class riders. A couple of days ago, Dorna made the official announcement after informing MotoGP teams and riders, letting them know that the championship will not start in Qatar. The Losail circuit has been the customary opener of the MotoGP season for more than 10 years. The worldwide coronavirus outbreak has made impossible to hold the night race in the top class.

The flying restrictions that forbid entry to any citizens flying directly from Italy and Japan have been the cause of the cancellation. Though Dorna tried to negotiate with the Qatar government officials to obtain special visas for the MotoGP teams, they couldn't reach an agreement and the virus scare has prevailed.

While the MotoGP race in Losail has been canceled, the MotoGP event hasn't, and since both the Moto2 and Moto3 teams were already in Qatar for the last pre-season 3-day test, the travel restrictions don't apply to them and the races will be held in Qatar under a revised schedule.

Here is the official announcement published by MotoGP.com:

"FIM, IRTA, and Dorna regret to announce the cancellation of all MotoGP™ class sessions at the Grand Prix of Qatar, including the race.

The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has resulted in Qatar travel restrictions being brought into force that affect passengers from Italy, amongst other countries. As of today, all passengers arriving at Doha on direct flights from Italy, or having been in Italy in the past 2 weeks, will be taken straight to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days. Italy clearly plays a vital role in the Championship and in the MotoGP class - both on track and off - and therefore the decision has been taken to cancel the premier class competition.

As the teams and riders of the Moto2™ and Moto3™ classes were already in Qatar for the three-day official test at Losail International Circuit earlier this week, the races of both categories will be possible. The lightweight and intermediate classes will, therefore, compete in their season opener from the 6th to 8th March."

Also as a consequence of the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the Thailand Grand Prix has been postponed, as the Thai government announced that it will not be possible to hold the race in Burnima on its original date, March 22nd. FIM, IRTA, and Dorna are evaluating an alternative date later on during the season for the Thai GP.