There are no plans to postpone large sporting events for the time being due to the threat of Covid-19, according to the Prime Minister.
Business as usual - for now: West Ham's game with Wolves is set to go ahead
Even though Ireland have suspended similar events and Scotland are set to ban any gatherings of more than 500 people from next week, there are no plans for similar restrictions in England.
And that means West Ham's game against Wolves this weekend is scheduled to continue as planned - even though many fans are expected to stay away as a result of concerns over the virus.
Prime Minster Boris Johnson revealed on Thursday that while there are no immediate plans to cancel Premier League matches, there is a very real possibility that this would happen before long.
However this is not because of the threat of contracting the virus from fellow supporters - but due to the stress hosting large sporting events places on essential emergency services, which will now be required elsewhere.
Professor Whitty addressed the nation on Thursday following a COBRA meeting
"Most of the transmission tends to take place with friends and colleagues in a close environment and not in the bigger environments," said Government adviser Professor Chris Whitty during this afternoon's press conference.
"It is true that with any cancellations you can have some effect, but this can lead to displacement activity which results in everyone congregating somewhere else which can perversely lead to an increased risk - particularly in an indoors environment.
"It doesn't mean you shouldn't make the decision at some point, but this is not a major way to tackle this epidemic. The major way it to try and reduce transmissions across households and people who've become infected."
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