NEW DELHI, March 13 (Xinhua) -- The local government in Indian capital city Friday banned all sporting activities and events, including Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The announcement was made by Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia during a press conference.
"In order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Delhi government has banned the organization of all sports gatherings (including IPL), large seminars, conferences etc.," Sisodia said. "Social distancing is important to curb the breakout of coronavirus."
The ban was announced after Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government declared COVID-19 an epidemic and ordered the closure of all schools, colleges and cinema theaters in the city until March 31.
The primary level schools were shut in the city earlier this month in the wake of the outbreak.
IPL is a multi-billion-dollar cricketing tournament played in India. For the tournament, top players from the cricketing world and Indian players purchased by franchise teams representing Indian cities take part in the contest.
The league is scheduled to start on March 29.
The organizers of the IPL are yet to announce the change in schedule. Insiders said they were holding consultations with the stakeholders.
On Thursday the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced that the remaining two One Day International (ODI) cricket matches between India and South Africa will be played in empty stadiums.
The number of COVID-19 cases in India have risen to 75 and the country reported the first COVID-19 death on Thursday.
The 76-year-old man infected with COVID-19 died in the southwest Indian state of Karnataka on Tuesday. The person had a travel history to Saudi Arabia.
India has suspended all visas, barring diplomatic, official, UN/International organizations, employment, project categories until April 15.
The federal government has also advised all states and union territories to invoke provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, which will enable them to enforce advisories as and when needed.
