Newcastle United's clash with Sheffield United looks set to get the green light this weekend despite increased precautions against Coronavirus.
A Premier League meeting took place today but as yet top-flight bosses have released any guidance on fears that games will be played behind closed doors like they have in Serie A.
However, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said today: "At this stage we're not in the territory of cancelling or postponing events.
"I was at Twickenham [for England v Wales] with the Prime Minister [on Saturday].
"There was a huge crowd of people there. There is no reason why people should not be going to those events.
"It is very premature to be talking about things like that."
Some clubs have made anti-bacterial hand gels more frequently available and it remains to be seen whether Newcastle follow that lead.
Dowden, speaking to FiveLive, said: "That is why I asked the chief medical officer to brief the sporting bodies last week and that is why we will be driven by the advice of the chief medical officer as we continue.
"I do want to emphasise in relation to sporting events, any talk of cancellation is very premature indeed.
"At the moment there is no evidence to suggest we should be doing that and we don't have any plans to."
