The
worldwide Coronavirus virus has caused mass disruption to businesses,
sporting events and everyday life this month. With 8,000 deaths
already reported, many health experts fear the worst is yet to come.
The
FA have suspended the Premier League until Friday 3 April at the
earliest, with many feeling the suspension will be upheld for much
longer. Other sporting and social events have been cancelled, whilst
many workers have been struck off or forced to work from home, where
possible.
Football
is not the only sport suffering, as the NBA and NHL seasons have too
been postponed in the USA to the disappointment of millions of fans.
Just about everything has been postponed now.
In
England, it was confirmed on Tuesday that the 2020 Grand National has
been cancelled indefinitely – the most famous horse racing event in
the world. This came just days after the Cheltenham Festival had been
given the all clear and went ahead.
When
the racing calendar and other sporting events will resume is not yet
known, but few are expecting anything positive before May. Liverpool
FC fans are starting to be concerned with the reality that the
2019-20 Premier League season could be cancelled and voided as a
result.
UEFA
have also announced that Euro 2020 will be postponed for 12 months
and has advised football associations to finish their domestic
competitions by the end of June.
With
9-10 fixtures left for each Premier League side, it would be possible
to squeeze the remaining games into a five- or six-week schedule if
necessary, which would mean resuming the league from mid-May at the
latest.
The
FA say they will do all they can to get the current campaign
completed, which could be behind closed doors. They have not
indicated that the league will be voided, but West Ham United CEO
Karren Brady has stated it would be fairer to void the season rather
than calling it complete should no further fixtures take place.
Small
businesses are being hit harder than any horse or football
competition though. Many are expected to fold in the coming weeks or
months as a result of the epidemic.
The
city of Liverpool is no different, with the latest news being that
all cruises have been called off from Liverpool terminal today as the
coronavirus has hit the industry hard.
Cruise
Liverpool has said that no vessels will call at the terminal until at
least June, leaving many workers relying on the British government to
aid them financially during this crisis.
This is no different to shops, hotels
and music venues in the city, whilst prime minister Boris Johnson has
advised
people to avoid pubs, restaurants and travel during this outbreak.
Simply put, many of the city’s and the country’s businesses are
under threat of going bust.
