Coronavirus lockdown as Arsenal ban journalists suffering from a COUGH from press conference
ARSENAL have taken extra measures to ensure the coronavirus outbreak does not reach their staff - by banning journalists showing ANY symptoms.
Reporters hoping to attend Saturday's press conference with Mikel Arteta before the FA Cup match against Portsmouth are being told to fill out a medical form beforehand.
The Gunners are asking journalists if they have travelled to any coronavirus affected area in recent weeks or have had close contact with a confirmed case of the illness.
Furthermore, a checklist of warning signs including a cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, temperature or other 'flu-like' symptoms is being provided.
If the reporter has shown "any" of these effects, they are to be refused entry to the conference.
The form states: "If you have answered yes to any of the questions above you will not be permitted entry to Arsenal Football Club.
"If an Arsenal FC staff member has reason to be concerned about any of the above then you may be asked to leave the premises immediately."
Arsenal face Portsmouth on Monday in the FA Cup last-16 and Arteta is due to meet the media at the training ground from 1.30pm on Saturday.
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The coronavirus outbreak has mainly affected China and the Far East as well as Iran and Italy - all of which are found on Arsenal's banned list.
After the illness was uncovered in Italy, 400 cases have been counted including a Serie C footballer who incurred Covid-19 on the eve of facing Juventus' Under-23 squad.
Although no player from the Bianconeri reserves has shown symptoms, they are now being kept away from the first-team as a precaution.
On Thursday, a further case was confirmed as a Spanish journalist who covered Valencia's loss at Atalanta tested positive for coronavirus.