ASUNCION, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Paraguay's first division Apertura season will resume on July 17 after a four-month coronavirus hiatus, the country's football association said on Friday.
The sport's return in the South American country comes after officials approved strict sanitary protocols for clubs, officials and venue operators. Among them are regular laboratory tests and an order to play all matches behind closed doors.
Paraguayan football was suspended on March 13, two days after the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a pandemic.
The league's resumption will feature General Diaz against Sportivo San Lorenzo and Sportivo Luqueno against Olimpia on Friday, July 17.
The following day Guairena will confront Guarani and Sol de America meet Doce de October. On Sunday, July 19, Cerro Porteno face Libertad and River Plate clash with Nacional.
Libertad lead the Apertura standings with six wins, one draw and one defeat. They are four points clear of second-placed Olimpia, with Nacional and Guarani one point further back.
Paraguay has more than 2,300 confirmed coronavirus cases and 19 deaths. Enditem
