The spread of coronavirus to Europe has thrown sporting fixtures into doubt - including a number of events and matches involving Irish teams.
Health Minister Simon Harris is meeting the IRFU today to advise that Ireland's Six Nations clash with Italy on March 7 should be called off.
After meeting with the National Public Health Emergency Team, Harris said: “The very clear view was that the game should not go ahead.
“That it would constitute a significant risk because a very large number of people would be travelling from what is now an infected region.
“I know it will come as a great disappointment to many, but it is important to make decisions about public health above and beyond all other considerations.”
Tweeting last night, he added: "I am following public health advice from experts as I should be expected to do. Meeting IRFU in the morning.
"All actions taken to help contain the spread of Covid 19 will be based on public health advice and decisions from doctors."
Ulster's PRO14 trip to Benetton this weekend has been cancelled as coronavirus wreaks havoc with sporting fixtures in Italy. In football, Italian Serie A matches are being played behind closed doors.
Coronavirus is also impacting Irish Olympic preparations. The Ireland women's hockey team cancelled a pre-Olympics training camp in Malaysia due to the outbreak.
With the Cheltenham Festival getting underway on March 10, racing chiefs are keeping a close eye on the situation.
British Horse Racing chief executive Nick Rust has confirmed that an industry steering group is in place to consider the implications of the virus.
Speaking on a Betfair podcast he said: "“We have an industry group in place that has been and continues to work on the potential impact of the coronavirus on the horse racing industry as a whole.
“The BHA executive met with the team at Cheltenham Racecourse on Monday morning to discuss final plans for the Festival, and the coronavirus was discussed at that meeting.”
He added: “In terms of potential ramifications for the Festival, any decision that impacts on it taking place will not be a decision that racing makes, but rather the Government.
“In the event that the Cheltenham Festival was postponed, either in its entirety or in part for any reason, there are contingencies already in place to re-stage it later in the season."
