A day after the World Health Organisation (WHO) classified the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as a pandemic, it has emerged that IPL 2020 could be played behind closed doors, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo.

The development ties in with the Indian government’s directive to prevent mass gatherings that are a feature of any global sports event. “Experts across the world have advised to reduce mass gatherings to avoid the spread of COVID-19 novel coronavirus disease,” India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had stated on March 5. “In view of above, it is advised that mass gatherings may be avoided or possibly be postponed till the disease spread is contained.

“In case any such mass gatherings are organised, states may take necessary action [and] guide the organisers on precautions to be taken as per the risk communication material already sent so as to avoid any Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases and Influenz Illness (ILs), including COVID-19.”

[caption id=”attachment_137667″ align=”alignnone” width=”800″] IPL 2020 could be played behind closed doors in order to contain the spread of coronavirus[/caption]

Thursday’s announcement was made by India’s minister of state for youth affairs and sports, Kiren Rijiju, who said all international events in India have been cancelled, which raises questions on the future of India’s three-match ODI series against South Africa, which got off to a rainy start on Thursday in Dharamsala.

“All international events in India have been cancelled,” Rijiju told reporters outside the Parliament. “But we are telling sports federations, we are telling all to comply with the guidelines issued by the health ministry and formulated by a group of ministers, which is constituted by the prime minister [Narendra Modi]. So any sports body in India should ensure [the guidelines are followed].”

Addressing the IPL specifically, Rijiju said: “We are not stopping the game. We are just telling to ensure that there is no mass gathering. Precautionary step is very important for the health of the country. If matches happen, the organisers would need to put in place all infrastructure, including screening machines. You cannot hold a match without that.”

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Rijiju’s comments were followed by an advisory from the sports ministry, addressed to all the national sports federations, the Indian Olympics Association, and the BCCI president Sourav Ganguly and its secretary Jay Shah.

“You are advised to adhere to advisories issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and ensure that no public gathering takes place in any sporting event. In the event the sporting event cannot be avoided, the same could be done without allowing gathering of the people, including spectators.”

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The IPL’s governing council is scheduled to meet on March 14 to discuss the fate of this year’s tournament, which is scheduled to get underway on March 29. The BCCI has already sent out its own advisory to all stakeholders in the India-South Africa series, urging the players to exercise caution while engaging with fans, including avoiding handshakes and the use of third-party gadgets for selfies.

The coronavirus has already had an impact on sporting events across the country. The 3×3 basketball Olympic qualifiers in Bengaluru, the Indian Open golf tournament in Gurugram, the Shooting World Cup in Delhi, and India’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar in Bhubaneshwar, all of which were scheduled to be held in March, have been postponed, while the Indian Open badminton tournament in Delhi will be played at an empty arena.