Newcastle United should have been looking to all but cement their Premier League status at St James' Park this afternoon.
Instead, the club is on lockdown as the Premier League stepped up their response to the escalating coronavirus threat.
Steve Bruce's side were due to take on the division's surprise package Sheffield United at 3pm, with three more points being seen by many as all that is needed to secure another season in the top flight.
The Magpies would have been hoping to build upon recent victories at West Brom and Southampton.
However, the typical Saturday afternoon hustle and bustle around the stadium was replaced by just a few passers-by and tourists posing for pictures.
Traffic on Strawberry Place was noticeably quieter as usual too, with the city centre also seeing far fewer shoppers and visitors.
The decision was taken on Friday morning to suspend all elite football until at least April 3 as the confirmed number of coronavirus diagnoses in the UK continues to rise.
United released a statement hours later confirming the clash with the Blades and the FA Cup tie with Manchester City had been postponed, and that the club's Benton base will be closed for the next fortnight as a precaution.
The Magpies stressed at this stage that no player or member of staff had yet exhibited any symptoms.
