VIRUS FEARS
Ireland vs Italy Six Nations rugby clash called off to stop coronavirus spreading across Europe
IRELAND'S Six Nations rugby clash at home to Italy has been postponed due to coronavirus fears.
Organisers had been monitoring the situation "very closely" as the outbreak starts to spread throughout Europe.
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There have been 322 cases of the virus in Italy - the highest number of infections outside Asia.
Eleven people have died from the virus.
After meeting with the Health Minister, IRFU chief executive Philip Browne said: "The IRFU is perfectly happy to comply with this instruction.
";We will immediately begin to work with our Six Nations partners to look to reschedule.
"I would hope to have an update on that in the coming days."
The game was scheduled to take place in Dublin on March 7 with thousands of Italian supporters, many from the regions most affected by the outbreak, expected to make the trip.
Ireland were also due to play Italy in an Under-20 Six Nations game and women's international that weekend - both have been cancelled.
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Health Secretary Matt Hancock today said if anyone has travelled to any quarantined area in Italy, they should self isolate no matter what.
China has reported 77,658 cases and 2,663 deaths following the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus that has spread to a variety of countries, including Italy, where authorities have swiftly put in restrictions.
The Department of Health in Ireland's National Public Health Emergency Team recommended the game should be postponed following a meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
But the IRFU subsequently called for the minister to explain the "specific reasoning"' behind his comments.
Ahead of the talks that took place today, Browne said: "It would be somewhat unfair to be asking the IRFU to make decisions like this.
"I think ultimately we will comply with whatever directive we will be given."
But the decision has been taken to scrap the clash.
This season's Six Nations has two rounds of scheduled action remaining, and is due to conclude in Paris on March 14 when current tournament leaders and title favourites France host Ireland in Paris.
It comes as an office in the Canary Wharf area of London has been put on lockdown over coronavirus fears with 300 employees sent home.
US oil company Chevron told staff to work from home for the forseeable future after an employee reported flu-like symptoms.
WHAT'S THE LATEST ACROSS EUROPE?
- In Austria, a young Italian couple who live in Innsbruck in the Tyrol have been infected by coronavirus. One of them had worked at a hotel, which is now in lockdown. Their home is also sealed off.
- In Tenerife, around 1,000 guests were locked down in a hotel after an Italian doctor and his wife tested positive for the deadly disease
- In mainland Spain, a woman in Barcelona has tested positive after visiting northern Italy
- In Switzerland a man in his seventies living in Ticino, bordering Italy, has contracted the bug after visiting Milan on 15 February. He is now in isolation.
- In Croatia a man who has recently returned from Italy has been confirmed positive
- France and Germany have also reported new cases involving people who have recently been to Italy
SunSport reported earlier that the Olympic Games look set to be CANCELLED completely if coronavirus is not under control.
That is according to to International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Dick Pound.
Over 80,000 people across the world have already been infected with coronavirus, with 2,700 dead - including four in Japan itself.
The Olympics have only ONCE in their 124-year history been cancelled - but that too was in Japan, with the 1940 edition called off due to World War II.
The World Short Track Speed Skating Championships - scheduled to take place in Seoul next month - have been cancelled due to the spread of the virus.
The sport's governing body, the International Skating Union, confirmed the news on the day that the number of cases in South Korea was reported to have exceeded 1,000.
It follows the decision by officials in the South Korean capital to close and cancel all competitions at the Mokdong Ice Rink, which had been due to host the event.
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Thousands of Brits are set to face mass mass testing for coronavirus at GP surgeries and hospitals across the country.
Public Health England now plans to test thousands of patients with flu-like symptoms via 11 hospitals and 100 GP practices to see if the virus has spread into the population.
It was today reported that anyone suffering from a severe chest infection at eight NHS hospitals will now be automatically tested for coronavirus – even if they haven't been at an at-risk country.
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Shock as Chevron office in London's Canary Wharf put on lockdown with 300 workers sent home over coronavirus fears
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