SPORTING and cultural events have been scrapped or postponed on a scale not seen since the Second World War as the governments seek to batten down the hatches ahead of the spread of coronavirus.
With Scotland one of a number of countries banning gatherings of more than 500 people in the hope it will delay people being infected with
Covid-19, an international calendar of tournaments, festivals and sporting leagues have been ripped up or pushed to April, although this will likely change.
It is hoped that stopping people coming together will slow the virus moving from person to person, with scientists advocating a strategy described as “social distancing”.
This plan is now coming into force worldwide, with organised sport the biggest casualty so far.
Next month’s London Marathon has been rearranged for October 4, one of the biggest events to be affected so far.
It is the first time the race has been postponed since its launch in 1981.
All elite football in England has been suspended until at least April 3, including all games in the Premier League, EFL, FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship.
All Scottish football has also been suspended while the Six Nations rugby clash due between Scotland and Wales in Cardiff today has been called off.
The SPFL announced the postponement of all fixtures, with tomorrow’s clash between Rangers and Celtic at Ibrox among those affected.
The Scottish FA said it had made the decision in the interests of the health and safety of players, match officials, staff, supporters and the public.
SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell said: “Today’s announcement is made in the interests of public health but, equally, the health and safety of players, match officials, and staff across the game. This is of paramount importance as the country enters the ‘delay’ phase of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It is also why the Scottish FA is compelled to ensure that the suspension is cascaded through the non-professional and grassroots games until further notice.”
In America, the Masters has been postponed for the first time since 1945. The first men’s major championship of the year was due to begin on April 9 at Augusta National, Georgia.
READ MORE: Old Firm between Rangers and Celtic postponed as Scottish football season suspended
“We hope this puts us in the best position to safely host the Masters Tournament and our amateur events at some later date,” said Fred Ridley, chairman of Augusta National.
Meanwhile, the professional golf circuit across the globe has ground to a halt as the PGA Tour cancelled the Players Championship and stopped play on the circuit until next month at the earliest.
The brakes have also been applied to the world of Formula 1, with the Bahrain and Vietnam Grands Prix called off . The Australian and Chinese Grands Prix were already cancelled.
In Canada, authorities have taken the step of suspending the national ice hockey league – a huge step for the country, where the sport is akin to a religion for some fans.
“Without question this is an unprecedented period of difficulty for the sports world,” said Hockey Canada chief executive and president Scott Smith in a statement.
He added: “Although it is difficult to process the hockey season ending abruptly, we feel this is the best course of action to do our part in keeping our country safe.”
The world of politics has also not been immune to the disruption caused by the virus’ spread.
Local and mayoral elections in England are to be postponed to May 2021, while Labour has said it will hold a “scaled-back” event instead of its usual conference on April 4, which will see the party choose a new leader.
In Scotland, the SNP and Scottish Conservatives have announced they are postponing their spring conferences due to the outbreak, following a similar decision by the Scottish Greens.
Scottish Tory leader Jackson Carlaw said the party’s conference, due to take place in Perth in mid-May, will now be moved to later in the year.
An upcoming party convention this month has also been cancelled and planned campaign days have been delayed until official public health advice changes.
Meanwhile, SNP members have received an email alerting them to the postponement of their party’s conference, which was due to be held in Edinburgh in June.
The email states the party’s national assembly meeting this weekend will also not take place “for the foreseeable future”, and adds: “Member safety is our priority and it is crucial to us to minimise risk to our colleagues and others on this occasion.”
On Thursday, the Scottish Greens became the first Scottish party to cancel their spring conference over coronavirus fears.
MSP Ross Greer, the party’s executive co-chairman, said: “Due to the ongoing coronavirus situation, the Scottish Greens executive committee has taken the decision to cancel our upcoming conference.
“The health and wellbeing of our members and the public is our primary concern and it is with that in mind that we have taken this decision.”
The threat from the virus has also affected the Queen’s diary, with the Royal Household postponing visits to Cheshire and Camden, north London, next week.
Buckingham Palace said changes were being made “as a sensible precaution”.
It comes after the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall postponed their spring tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, and Jordan due to the pandemic.
Radio 1’s Big Weekend has been called off by organisers as the music industry continues to feel the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The music festival, which had Biffy Clyro, Harry Styles and Camila Cabello on the line-up, was due to take place in Dundee from Friday, May 22 to Sunday, May 24.
More than 70,000 music fans were expected to attend over the course of the event in Camperdown Park.
A statement released by Radio 1 said: “This decision has been made in conjunction with our event partners, in line with the advice from the Scottish Government. It is important we prioritise the health and safety of all those involved.”
This month’s Aye Write festival in Glasgow has also been cancelled.
Organisers they could no longer deliver “anything like the festival we had promised”.
The Glasgow Short Film Festival 2020 has also been postponed.
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