Whitehaven is preparing to put the Recreation Ground in lockdown to cut the risks posed by the coronavirus.

The Cumbrian club's directors met last night to discuss measures they could introduce in line with the latest government advice.

Beforehand chairman Tom Todd said: “Obviously we want to limit the chances of passing on the virus through contact and will be looking to do our bit at Whitehaven.

“The office would be run by a skeleton staff and we would obviously need our two groundsmen to supervise care of the pitch.”

The Whitehaven players have been asked to look at maintaining their fitness from home and have not been at the ground this week.

“A lot of the players have their own weights at home, and I’m assuming they will be doing some roadwork in quiet areas just to keep their fitness ticking over.

“We have one player in self-isolation after he displayed the symptoms of coronavirus but there have been no further reports of any others being affected,” said the chairman.

Rugby League – both professional and amateur level – shutdown on Monday, with the message that they will review the situation again on April 3.

Whitehaven missed out on a home game with Batley Bulldogs this Sunday, and the second certain postponement will be on March 29 when they were due at Dewsbury.

If the programme can resume on April 5 – which seems unlikely – Haven have no fixture, as it is a weekend earmarked for the Coral Challenge Cup.

Whitehaven were unable to participate in Tuesday’s conference call involving clubs from the Betfred Championship and League One after the club’s IT expert had been taken to hospital.

Clubs considered the implications of the suspension of the 2020 season enforced by the latest Downing Street guidelines surrounding Covid-19, social distancing and mass gatherings.

Ralph Rimmer, the RFL Chief Executive, said: “Public health and concern for the most vulnerable is everyone’s priority.

“It was important that we exchanged information and allowed the clubs to discuss their position as soon as possible following the confirmation that the season will be suspended.

“This will have a significant impact on clubs at all levels, as on all businesses, in all sectors. It is important for us as a governing body to be able to represent those clubs, given what a powerful force for good they are in our communities.

“It was a positive meeting, at which all agreed on the importance of a collegiate approach, both for the Championship and League 1 clubs and the game as a whole – focusing on three key areas of player welfare, club sustainability, and the integrity of the competitions.”

“We will maintain regular dialogue with the clubs, as well as with the government, broadcasters and sponsors, over the period of our initial suspension until the weekend of April 3, as we work together and look forward to the resumption of games.”