The much-awaited Wengen weekend, a highlight on the men's World Cup calendar, usually unfolds in a carnival atmosphere surrounding its feared Lauberhorn downhill races.

In normal times, it is one of the world's best-attended winter sports events, attracting around 30,000 spectators.

However, Switzerland's Bern canton announced it had decided to reverse a previous decision and pull the licence due to surging Covid-19 infections in the local area.

Switzerland has seen coronavirus infection and death rates stagnate at a stubbornly high level, with the federal government set this week to announce that restrictions imposed due to the pandemic will be extended until the end of February.

“The situation in Wengen with the increasing number of coronavirus infections has prompted the Bern canton to overturn the decision announced yesterday to hold the Lauberhorn race,” the regional authority said in a statement.

READ MORE: What new coronavirus rules could Switzerland announce this week? 

“The canton is concerned about the dynamics in which the virus is spreading,” it added, pointing the finger at the new, more contagious mutation raging in Britain.

“The health and business administration have decided to withdraw the permit for the Lauberhorn races.

“It will not be possible to take all precautions so that the athletes and the support teams can be adequately protected in separate zones.”

The canton explained that in the village of Wengen, the virus had spread very quickly from almost no cases in mid-December to more than 60 since then.

“The people of Wengen are asked to stay at home whenever possible and to avoid contacts outside their own household,” the canton said.

The Lauberhorn downhill is the longest race on the World Cup circuit. Staged in the shadow of the Eiger and Jungfrau mountains, the races there have been traditionally held in January since 1930.

The race organising committee said in a statement that it “deeply regrets this decision, but can understand it.

“For over 90 years, the organisation here in Wengen has strived to hold competitions that are as safe as possible for the participating athletes, the teams, all guests present, as well as the local population,” it said.

“A safe execution is not possible under the current pandemic situation, according to the assessment of the experts.”

France's Alexis Pinturault leads the 2020-21 World Cup overall standings.