The number of confirmed coronavirus cases has been multiplying rapidly across the world. The COVID-19 has ended the lives of 4,100 people and has infected more than 1,26,000 people globally. World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that the novel coronavirus outbreak as a ‘pandemic’.
The announcement came just months after the virus infection spread from China’s mainland Wuhan. The COVID-19 has also spoiled the calendar of various sporting events in the world. It has even put the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020 under huge doubt.
England set to cancel the tour of Sri Lanka due to coronavirus concerns
In the latest development, England’s upcoming Test series in Sri Lanka is under big threat amid global Coronavirus pandemic. Last night, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in a press release said that tour is planned to continue, but the growing coronavirus fears mean that the tour could still be cancelled as early as today.
It is to be noted that ECB is in consultation with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and a decision to cancel the tour was expected yesterday (Thursday) but the Government’s refusal to carry out the stronger measures against the Covid-19 virus, specifically not suspending various sporting events as has happened across Europe – means the ECB has not been able to make a firm decision on the tour.
An ECB statement said: “We are in regular contact with the Sri Lankan and British High Commissions in addition to Sri Lanka Cricket around the Sri Lanka v England Test matches, scheduled in the next few weeks. At this stage, the series is planned to continue, but we want to stress that this is a highly evolving situation and circumstances are changing rapidly, sometimes several times a day.
We urge fans who are considering travelling to consult with the current British and Sri Lankan Government advice, to continue to do this up until the point of travel and also for the duration of their trip.”
Sri Lanka confirmes two cases linked to coronavirus
Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has had only two confirmed cases of the Coronavirus, but the country’s government has recently taken the decision to close all the schools for six weeks and has already put restrictions on outsiders entering the nation, including stopping all on-arrival visas.
It has been learnt that England’s players have been in Sri Lanka for just under a fortnight. Now they are playing their final warm-up match in Colombo ahead of the two-match Test series that kicks-off in Galle next Thursday (19th March).
But with more than 2,000 English spectators scheduled to travel to the nation from this weekend, it is expected that the authorities will call off the tour as the Sri Lankan authorities look to control the spread of the fast-spreading virus within their borders.
As the England cricket team is already in Sri Lanka, discussions are still ongoing as to whether the two-match Test series can be played behind closed doors.