Long Beach Grand Prix Canceled Amid Coronavirus Concerns

LONG BEACH, CA — The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is officially canceled, organizers announced Wednesday, after failing to reschedule the event after it was postponed due to the new coronavirus.

"Over the past few days, we have actively pursued the possibility of rescheduling the Acura Grand Prix to a later date this year with the city of Long Beach, the Convention Center, the NIT IndyCar Series, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and our other race sanctioning bodies," Jim Michaelian, president/CEO of the Grand Prix Association said in a statement.

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"We are very disappointed that we were unable to put something together for all our loyal fans and valued clients, but trying to reassemble all the elements that have made the Long Beach event such a success does not appear feasible for 2020," he said.

The race had been scheduled for April 17-19. The 2021 event will be held April 16-18.

Grand Prix officials said people who have already purchased tickets for the race will have the choice of applying the credit toward the 2021 event or receiving a full refund.

Long Beach has confirmed 10 cases of the new coronavirus as of Wednesday.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Follow CDC's recommendations for using a facemask.
  • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
  • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

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City News Service contributed to this post