Abu Dhabi Sports Council has called on clubs in the city to suspend all sports events until further notice.
Acting on guidance from the Ministry of Health and Prevention, the council issued a seven-point directive to institutions in the capital limiting sports activities as a precautionary measure to counter the spread of coronavirus.
They indicated that daily sports activities for anyone aged 12 or older can continue as usual, pending advice from the respective federations.
Events that are deemed “imperative” will be permitted to go ahead on a case-by-case basis, too, although fans will not be permitted to attend.
“ADSC, in collaboration with relevant entities in Abu Dhabi, is closely monitoring the situation in relation to the spread of Covid-19,” the statement read.
“The following precautionary and preventive measures are to ensure the safety of everyone in our community.
“Cease all sports activities for Under 12 teams of all sports clubs in Abu Dhabi.
“Twelve-plus and senior teams to continue with their respective daily training sessions and competitions as usual [as per circulations by respective federations].
“Postpone or cancel any sports event or gathering.
“Cancel all camps and participation in all international events [except those related to the calendar of international federations] to ensure the safety of all participants, teams, technical staff and administrative staff members. There should be no participation in any such events or competition without prior ADSC consultation.
“Cancel the hosting of international training camps for any visiting foreign teams.
“In case it is imperative to stage any event, such event is to be held behind closed doors [fans will not be permitted to attend].
“Regular sterilising of all sports facilities and equipment.”
On Thursday morning, Dubai Sports Council issued a similar statement to its clubs, saying: "You are kindly requested to postpone all sports-related activities until the end of March 2020."
However, later in the day that was clarified as meaning "those events with international participation," and that "all other normal sporting activities should continue as usual".
The UAE Rugby Federation subsequently announced the suspension of all activities until further notice, meaning the cancellation of the final fixtures of the regular season on Friday.
The UAE Wrestling and Judo Federation announced it was suspending all domestic tournaments until further notice on Friday.
The ITU World Triathlon Abu Dhabi Presented by Daman, scheduled to be held on Yas Island this weekend, was postponed by organisers last month.
Race meetings in Dubai did go ahead at the weekend, but behind closed doors.
Football matches in the Arabian Gulf League also continued, at venues in Khor Fakkan, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, but also with no supporters present.
The situation is also having a substantial effect on grass-roots sports, with small and medium-sized enterprises who provide sports services in particular feeling the strain.
Many of them had scheduled camps and coaching classes for the school spring break in two weeks' time.
However, the decision to close schools for a month, bringing the holidays forward, meant they have had to try to reschedule.
Most are also heavily reliant on school facilities for providing their regular activities, and have been seeking alternative venues in the time since the schools closure announcement was made.
A group of 24 competing organisations in Dubai met early on Thursday morning to work out a way to navigate the problems.
“During these difficult times, we want to assure everyone that the entire sports fraternity and governing bodies are working together to ensure children within the academies can continue to enjoy sports in a safe environment,” Gareth Mordey, the chief executive of Infinite Sports, said.
