Coronavirus: Hearts suspend mascots and player appearances and issue advice for sick fans

Capital club has issued COVID-19 update

Only teams and match officials will take to the pitch at Tynecastle for the next month

Hearts have taken the decision to suspend all child mascots for the next month as the club puts health and safety measures in place following the outbreak of coronavirus.

There will be no player appearances, hand shaking, or shirt signings with the team for the foreseeable future either.

Numerous clubs have taken steps to respond to the epidemic such as installing additional hand sanitiser dispensers in bathrooms and urging fans displaying Upper Respiratory Tract symptoms i.e. coughs, breathlessness, sore throat to stay away from games.

The joint SFA / SPFL response group has already suspended pre-match handshakes between players and officials until further notice.

A statement from Hearts read: “The club is closely monitoring the advice from the UK and Scottish Governments and Health Authorities in relation to the Corona Virus (COVID – 19).

“Currently, forthcoming fixtures are not affected, but it is crucial that if any supporter has any Upper Respiratory Tract symptoms (such as a cough, breathlessness, sore throat etc), they must not attend any match until they have had their symptoms properly medically assessed.

“The club will continue to take guidance from the Scottish FA and SPFL joint task force, the UK and Scottish Governments and Health Authorities and will update supporters with any further developments.”

Earlier today, St Mirren – who host Hearts tonight on Ladbrokes Premiership duty – urged fans displaying “cold and flu symptoms” not to travel to the fixture.