(CNN) The Bahrain Grand Prix -- the second race of the new Formula One calendar -- will be staged without spectators due to the ongoing spread of coronavirus.

The race is due to be held between March 20-22 but race organizers confirmed it would be a "participants-only event," in a statement released on Sunday.

"Given the continued spread of Covid-19 globally, convening a major sporting event, which is open to the public and allows thousands of international travelers and local fans to interact in close proximity would not be the right thing to do at the present time," the statement said.

"But to ensure that neither the sport, nor its global supporter base, is unduly impacted, the race weekend itself will still go ahead as a televised event."

The Bahrain grand Prix will be raced without fans in 2020.

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