British prime minister Boris Johnson is holding an emergency COBRA meeting this morning due to the ongoing Coronavirus outbreak.
One of the topics in the discussion will be whether major sporting events will have to be cancelled, or whether Premier League matches will have to be played behind closed doors.
It is a measure which has already been put in place in Italy, while it has been announced that the Champions League match between PSG and Borussia Dortmund will also not have fans in attendance.
Of course, that will have a major effect on clubs around the country in terms of matchday revenue, but has been seen as a necessary way to help prevent the spread.
One measure that the Premier League have already introduced ahead of the weekend was to cancel the pre-match handshake. Instead, Chelsea and Everton players walked past each other with a nod, rather than touching.
However, it made no difference when Chelsea scored their four goals, with celebrations of hugging and also after the match with the two sets of players shaking hands.
Chelsea, of course, have been taking extra precautions to help prevent the spread of the disease during their matches and training.
At the end of February, a club spokesman said the Blues were 'following government protocol, there is no other update', with Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard confirming that the players were as well.
Lampard said after the win over Liverpool on Tuesday when asked if he was worried about Coronavirus: "As a manager yes, as a father yes, as a husband yes. I think we are all in the same boat as that is concerned. We are taking all the right courses of action here within the club and I am as concerned as the rest of us, I guess."
Before Sunday's game against Everton, Lampard said that the players were taking precautions, saying: "We're not shaking hands, we're following the protocol that's recommended.
"We're doing everything that we can with our ears open as things change."
On Friday, the club also released a statement to Chelsea fans, asking fans 'to ensure they wash their hands in any of the public toilets within our facilities upon arrival'.
Football.london understands that the players have been told to restrict autograph giving as part of the prevention.
As has become common with clubs around the country, the Blues have also requested visitors and media going to the training ground in Cobham to sign a declaration confirming they have not travelled to any high-risk countries in the past 14 days.
Extra hand sanitiser has been placed in areas around the facility, adding to the measures to ensure the players and staff are not infected.
Chelsea have two Italy internationals in Jorginho and Emerson, however again the Blues confirmed they will follow government protocol when deciding on whether to allow them to travel for the matches during the international break.
What is Coronavirus?
According to the NHS , Coronavirus is a virus that affects lungs and airways, with the resulting illness called COVID-19.
Symptoms for coronavirus are a cough, a high temperature and a shortness of breath, similar to a normal cold or flu.
The NHS recommend hand washing to prevent the spread of the virus, with people advised to use soap and water to thoroughly wash and clean their hands for at least 20 seconds, including after using public transport or entering the home or workplace.
Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve rather than a hand when coughing or sneezing is also important, and tissues must be put in the bin immediately after use.
Hands must also be washed after a person coughs or sneezes, even if they use a tissue or their sleeve, and contact must be avoided with people who are already unwell.
Those who believe they have contracted the virus in the UK can call 111 and stay away from public spaces to self-isolate if advised to do so by a medical professional.
Full advice on what to do if you are worried about coronavirus or believe you have the virus can be found on the NHS website.
