The English Football League told clubs like Ipswich Town's to carry on playing matches as usual, despite fears over the Coronavirus.

It was reported that Town's home match with Portsmouth next week will be live streamed should the Football League order all games to be played behind closed doors.

The Blues' away game at Bristol Rovers on Saturday will also be played with fans in the stand after details of the EFL advice was published.

An EFL statement said: In light of today's announcement by the UK Government, EFL matches will continue to take place as normal while the guidance from the relevant authorities remains that there is no medical rationale to close or cancel sporting events at this time.

The EFL, however, will continue to work with Government and relevant stakeholders to further develop contingency plans to ensure the League is best placed to act as and when any potential restrictions may come into force.

Immediately following the announcement by the Prime Minister, EFL Chair Rick Parry held discussions with the FA and Premier League and agreed on a consistent approach ahead of this weekend's round of fixtures. Matters will be further discussed at a meeting called by European Football's Governing body, UEFA, on Tuesday 17 March.

The League will continue to liaise with the Government regarding ongoing developments and will continue to work with Clubs to ensure players, staff and supporters are updated and appraised accordingly.

These matters are, of course, subject to change and we will update as appropriate."

The decision was made after discussions with the Government. Following a Cobra meeting, prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed the UK has moved from a 'containment' to 'delay' strategy.

He added: "We are considering banning major public events like sporting fixtures.

"The scientific advice is this has little effect on the spread - but it does place a burden on other public services."

It was confirmed earlier today that 590 people in the UK have now tested positive for coronavirus, with two more deaths taking the number of people to die in UK hospitals up to 10.

Leicester City and Arsenal have confirmed some of their players had shown symptoms of the Covid-19 virus.