Some mountains in the Vuelta a España will be "closed" to the public, with two mountains in the Basque Country in the first week and more potentially off-limits to fans later in the race.

Race organizers announced Tuesday that the Alto de Arate, which will be featured late in stage 1, and Puerto de Ordunya, used twice in stage 7, will be closed to spectators due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Basque government believes that the current epidemiological situation does not provide adequate conditions to allow public spectators to watch the games," the statement read.

"The topography of both mountains will make it very difficult to control social distances.

Spanish health guidelines currently prohibit large gatherings of more than 1,000 people and state that people must wear masks and maintain a distance of 1.5 meters. Vuelta organizers must ensure that these conditions are met on the entire route, which they believe is impossible on certain climbs.

Shortened to 18 stages, the 2020 Vuelta a España will open on October 20 in the Basque Country, with the 173-km opening stage divided into three mountain categories before reaching the first category, the Alto de Arate, 2.5 km from the finish.

The race then heads to Navarre, Castilla y León, and East Aragon before crossing the French border at the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees, where the first week ends on stage 6.

On a rest day, the race returns to the Basque Country, where the second week begins with stage 7 from Vitoria Gasteiz to Villanueva de Valdegovia. This 159.7 km stage will challenge Puerto de Ordunya twice.

After traversing the northern part of Spain, the stage descends to Salamanca, with the finale in Madrid on November 8.

"We are working closely with the local authorities to establish specific measures for each of the 18 stages that will make up the route of the 75th edition, as well as for the mountain climbs during and at the end of the stages.

"We will inform you as soon as possible of any points where public access will be restricted for health reasons.