Tour of Flanders organizers and the mayor of Oudenaarde at the finish have announced extreme measures to keep the public away from the race in response to a sharp increase in the number of COVID-19 cases across Belgium. The public will be barred from entering 22 "safe zones," including the starting point on Steenplein in Antwerp, the finish line on Oudenaarde, and key uphill and cobblestone sections along the course.

The closed sections include the final lap of the Oudenaarde course: Oude Kwaremont, Paterberg, Koppenberg, Steenbeekdries, Thienberg, Kruisberg, Katteberg, Kortekale, Eikenberg, Wolbenberg, Reberg, Berendries, Valkenberg, Holleweg, Hagehoek, Lippenhovesstraat, and Paddestraat cobblestone sections are included.

Thomas van den Spiegel, CEO of the Flanders Classic, said the measure is a firm message to cycling fans. It will be a Tour de Flanders without spectators."

He said.

The move follows the cancellation of the Amstel Gold Race and the reduction of Wednesday's Scheldeprijs to a 17.3-km circuit around Schoten like Kermes due to regulations against sporting activities in the Netherlands.

As yet Belgium has not followed its neighbors in suspending sports, but with five days still to go until the Tour of Flanders, the coronavirus situation is rapidly worsening.

Organizers are hoping that permission will be granted to hold the men's and women's World Tour races on a tightly controlled race course and that only neighbors will be allowed to stand along the course, and even then they must wear masks. In the Ardennes region of Flanders, spectators must stand 1.5 meters from the road, and if this is not possible, the road will be closed.

"We can be proud that we are able to continue the Tour de Flanders, especially in the current climate. We need events like this," van den Spiegel said.

Carina van Cauter, governor of East Flanders, urged fans to stay home. 'This year is a limited edition. It is a limited edition, both figuratively and literally, but also a unique edition that will be remembered for years to come.

"Save your tools and stay home! In front of the screen, on the radio, and with your family and those who live under the same roof.

Van Cauter banned parties and said the police would strictly enforce the rule, with fines of up to 250 euros for violators.

At the Giro d'Italia, favorite winners Simon Yates (Mitchelton-Scott) and Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo Visma) tested positive for COVID-19 and both teams left the race. Team Sunweb's Michael Matthews left the race after testing positive on Monday's rest day, but Sunweb opted to continue racing as a team. Van den Spiegel is confident that the teams are on high alert ahead of the Tour of Flanders.

"The teams are rigorously facing the bubble and testing hard for this weekend's Tour. We, too, are working on testing all of our staff this week."