Swiss league to play to empty arenas over coronavirus fears

Swiss National League officials have elected to play out the remainder of the league’s regular season games to empty arenas due to concerns over the coronavirus epidemic.

Check out this report from National League insider Syzmon Szemberg:

With the measures taking place until March 15th, the league’s playoff schedule and relegation rounds will also be affected:

Insane. 

Read below for the translated report from the National League's official website:

All matches of the remaining two qualifying rounds in the National League take place on Friday and Saturday before empty ranks. This is due to the latest measures taken by the authorities against the spread of the corona virus. The league and clubs will decide on the procedure for the NL playoffs, which start according to the schedule on Saturday, March 7th, as part of the extraordinary league meeting on Monday, March 2nd.

The Federal Council has decided that from now until March 15, all events with more than 1000 participants or spectators must take place in camera. The games of the last two rounds of the regular season in the National League of today and tomorrow as well as the first week of the playoff are also directly affected. After a conference call on Friday morning, the National League, together with the NL clubs, decided to hold the Friday and Saturday games according to the schedule. All games in the National League this weekend take place without spectators. This is a precaution against the spread of the corona virus. All stadium entrances are closed and controlled by the security services. For media professionals who are not already accredited for the games, no new accreditations can be issued. The procedure in relation to the NL playoffs, which according to the schedule starts on Saturday, March 7th, will be decided during the extraordinary league meeting next Monday, March 2nd. Appropriate communication then takes place.

Playoff quarterfinals and Swiss League ranking round without spectators

All other games of the playoff quarterfinals series of the Swiss League - including possible game 7 next Wednesday - as well as the games of the Swiss League Ranking Round from this weekend will take place without spectators. With regard to the playoff semifinals, the further course of action will also be decided on the occasion of the extraordinary National League & Swiss League league meeting next Monday.