⁍ Horse racing fans who typically flock to Australia’s week-long Melbourne Cup carnival will not be allowed to attend this year because of coronavirus restrictions.

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⁍ The carnival attracts crowds of up to 90,000 for major races and is highlighted by the A$8 million Melbourne Cup.

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⁍ A top Australian sports official was forced to apologise and reverse a decision earlier this month to allow a limited number of people to attend the A$5 million Cox Plate at nearby Moonee Valley.

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– Australia is in the midst of an outbreak of a highly contagious virus that has forced the cancellation of the country’s biggest horse-racing event, Reuters reports. The week-long Melbourne Cup carnival, which runs from Saturday to Nov. 3, is known as “the race that stops the nation” because of the $8 million race that is run on the first Tuesday in November. Officials say they understand the government’s desire to keep the community safe, but they have decided not to allow people to attend the races because of the outbreak of coronavirus. “What is certain is the Melbourne Cup Carnival will go ahead with viewing audiences watching from across Australia and around the world,” says the chairman of the Victoria Racing Club. “While we are very disappointed not to be able to welcome our members and racegoers to Cup Week, we understand the government’s commitment to keeping our community safe,” she says. “What is certain is the Melbourne Cup Carnival will go ahead with viewing audiences watching from across Australia and around the world.”