The Red Stripe Premier League has suspended matches scheduled for between Thursday and Monday, March 16, in light of the potential threat posed by the Coronavirus – Covid19.

Carvel Stewart, Vice Chairman of the Premier League Clubs Association (PLCA) made the announcement on Thursday, after securing the approval of Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF).

The decision to suspend matches was also in keeping with Wednesday night’s request by Prime Minister Andrew Holness that there not be large gatherings in a bid to limit the spread of the deadly virus.

Two Jamaicans have tested positive for the virus and seven are in isolation.

“In accordance with the government’s announcement last night and after a fairly short meeting this morning, it was decided that the matches for today and the weekend would be postponed to observe the government’s wishes that we don’t have large crowds attending,” said Stewart.

“We have not yet decided on the further involvement of the teams and we will be meeting next week again to determine if we go as of the next round or if there are further delays.”

The suspension of the RSPL comes on the heels of the news of the cancellation of the 110-year-old Boys and Girls Championships that were scheduled to be held at the end of March. Also, the finals of the Digicel Grand Prix have also been cancelled over concerns over the spread of the virus, whose spread has prompted the World Health Organisation to declare a pandemic.

More than 121, 000 people have been infected by the virus with more than 4000 dying as a result.

In recent days, the NBA, La Liga and Serie A have suspended play until further notice as the virus continues to spread unabated across the globe.