Coronavirus PL threat appears to be growing

UK health officials have moved into the second phase of their response to the coronavirus outbreak.

And that could involve the close down of the Premier and English leagues to the public although no formal decisions have been announced.

With the number of positive test in the UK having hit 90 today the government is believed to be moving towards stage two of their precautionary measures.

The BBC reports that Prof Chris Whitty, the country’s chief medical adviser, told MPs it was “highly likely” there was now some “community transmission” within the UK.

Measures will be ramped up to slow the spread of the virus and could involve “changes to society”, he said.

Three new cases of the virus in Scotland have brought the total number of positive tests in the UK to 90.

Speaking to a committee of MPs, Prof Whitty said the country was now “mainly” in the delay phase of the government’s four-part plan to tackle the virus, but was still following aspects of the first phase.

It is still being decided what measures will be taken in the delay phase – but the government has said they could include banning big events, which would likely involved football matches closing schools, encouraging people to work from home and dissuading the use of public transport.

CandH says: The Premier League has been holding regular briefing sessions as the threat to the fixture list has grown  Whether there  would be a total close down of the programme or a behind closed door scenario involved is at this stage no more than a guessing game. but it now seems with the ‘transmission’ of the virus across the UK a real possibility, both situations will be under consideration. And there can be no more discussion as to whether this would be the right way forward. When facing a health pandemic involving all of us every single precaution must be taken.