Whether Egan Bernal, Nairo Quintana, Rigoberto Urán, and other Colombian riders will be able to return to Europe for the Tour de France depends on whether the South American country, along with its neighbors, will receive a special exemption from the Colombian government to suspend all international passenger flights until August 31 due to the COVID-19 epidemic. It depends on whether they can receive special exemptions from the Colombian government after the suspension.

The Tour de France is scheduled to start in Nice on August 29, while other World Tour races will resume on August 1 with the Strade Bianche in Italy. Colombian athletes had planned to travel to Europe during July after training in their country since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in March. They were ready to undergo some sort of quarantine and screening in Europe, but now they must first obtain permission to leave Colombia.

Giuseppe Acquadro, who represents the Colombian and South American athletes, was concerned about the travel ban, but told Cycling News that he was optimistic that they could secure special permission to travel to Europe, perhaps by traveling together in a private jet.

"Let's hope they get a special travel permit. I think they will. They are athletes, but racing in Europe is their business.

According to Cycling News, Team Ineos is also aware of the issue and is working to allow Bernal and the other riders to participate in the Tour de France and other European races from South America.

In a statement issued to the nation on Wednesday, Colombian President Iván Duque extended the country's state of emergency declaration until August 31. Statistics show that more than 17,000 people have been infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus in Colombia, killing 630; athletes have been allowed to train outdoors since late April, and the country is slowly beginning to end its tight blockade.

However, Transport Minister Angela Maria Orozco has canceled all domestic and international flights in the country until August 31. Land borders are also closed and all domestic transportation will be suspended until further notice.

Latin America has imposed stricter travel restrictions than other regions to combat the COVID-19 coronavirus. Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, El Salvador, and Panama have also grounded all flights and repeatedly extended their bans as the disease spreads.

"We will not be able to resume international air travel or reopen our land borders until August 31," Orozco said in an interview with Blu Radio on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

"The restrictions on international air traffic are closely linked to the health emergency. We don't expect international flights to be restored until that day."

Bernal would become the first Colombian to win the Tour de France in 2019, and in recent weeks he has stated that he wants to lead Team Ineos in this year's Tour de France, and his comments have sparked a leadership controversy, with Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome also saying they want to win the 2020 He has stated that he wants to win the Tour de France.

Bernal was declared a national hero when he returned to Colombia after winning the 2019 Tour de France. Acquadro believes the Colombian government will refer to that.

"I think the Colombian government will give Egan, Nairo, Rigo, and the others special dispensation for their travel because they know that competing in the Tour de France and Europe is good for the morale of the country during the COVID-19 crisis," Acquadro told Cycling News.

"Rigoberto Uran has a great relationship with the president and the minister of sports. The athletes will have to be tested and prove they are virus-free, and they may have to move along, but that's not a problem."

According to the Gikoland website, 22 Colombian riders are competing in the men's World Tour, for a total of 111 professional riders registered with the UCI. Giro d'Italia winner Richard Calapaz is near Ecuador