With known cases of coronavirus in Greece rising day by day, the Greek health ministry has taken a number of measures to reduce the risk of contamination.

Greek Health Ministry spokesman, Infectious Diseases Professor Sotiris Tsioras announced that public gatherings in Greece will be reduced to a minimum for the next two to four weeks.

This decision impacts all sporting events in Greece, with the two first rounds of the Super League playoffs to be held behind closed doors, as will the next two rounds of the Basketball League.

Additionally, as announced by the Hellenic Olympic Committee, the lighting of the torch in ancient Olympia will only be attended by 100 people, members of the IOC and the Organising Committee Tokyo 2020.

This decision had an impact on international games as well, with UEFA announcing that many of their Champions League and Europa League matches (including the one to be held in Greece on Friday between Olympiacos and the Wolverhampton Wanderers) will also be held without the presence of fans.

These announcements met with mixed reactions and many have taken to social media to express disappointment that they will not have the chance to support their favourite clubs at such a crucial time in the season. Others applauded the organisations for their swift response in the face of a potential global crisis.

Meanwhile, Olympiacos have called on the Hellenic Federation to cancel the Greek national team’s scheduled trip to the United States in March for the upcoming friendly games with Costa Rica (27 March) and Mexico (30 March), fearing that their players may be infected.