Virus outbreak latest: Earliest AHL could resume is May, AP told

The Latest on the coronavirus outbreak’s effect on sports around the world (all times local):

4:45 p.m.

A person familiar with the discussions tells the Associated Press the American Hockey League is allowing its players to return home while determining it won’t be able to resume its season until May at the earliest.

The move follows last week’s decision by the 31-team AHL to suspend its season until further notice. The decision coincides with the NHL placing a roster freeze on player movement, as well as pushing back the possibility of resuming its season for several weeks, if not more than a month.

Previously, players were encouraged to remain with their teams.

8:50 p.m.

The Grand National Steeplechase, one of the iconic sporting events in Britain, was canceled following the stringent measures put in place during the virus outbreak.

The Jockey Club says the horse racing meeting at Aintree, Liverpool, from April 2-4 will not take place.

The British government has said emergency services are being withdrawn from supporting mass gatherings in the country from Tuesday, so the Jockey Club “has decided that it is no longer appropriate to stage” the Grand National Festival.

Sandy Dudgeon, senior steward of the Jockey Club, says “we were working on a plan to stage the Grand National behind closed doors given its importance to the racing industry and beyond, but … this is not a viable option.”

4:10 p.m.

Live horse racing without fans will continue at Aqueduct during New York’s ban on public gatherings of more than 50 people.

Fans were banned as of last Thursday. Racing resumes Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The winter meet ends March 29.

The New York Racing Association said horse owners are not allowed access to Aqueduct.

Belmont Park’s backstretch and its facilities remain open to horsemen and training is allowed. Owners won’t be allowed in the stable area until further notice.

Also, The Jockey Club will close its offices in New York and Kentucky to outside visitors as of Tuesday while contiuning to provide services. All business-related travel has been suspended and some employees are working remotely. The Jockey Club is the breed registry for thoroughbred horses in North America.

4 p.m.

Keeneland race track in Kentucky canceled its spring meet because of covid-19. The meet was scheduled for April 2-24, with the $1 million Blue Grass Stakes awarding 170 points toward the Kentucky Derby, the highlight of the opening weekend. On Sunday the historic track announced it would be closed to non-essential guests and set up screening checkpoints for those seeking access.

The track says no horses will be allowed at Keeneland and it recommended that horsemen not at the track remain where they are.

Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason calls the decision to cancel “agonizing” and adds that the track had exhausted all avenues for safely conducting the meet.

1 p.m.

USA Water Polo canceled a key tournament set to begin in late April in Indianapolis because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The U.S. men and women have already qualified for the Olympics. But the the 2020 FINA Men’s and Women’s Intercontinental Tournament would have been been one of their biggest warmups for the Tokyo Games.

The cancellation also hurts USA Water Polo’s effort to growing the sport in the Midwest. The event was scheduled for April 28 to May 3.

USA Water Polo also announced the cancellation of the inaugural Division III Women’s National Championship. It was scheduled for May 8-10 in Southern California.

7:10 p.m.

The European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup rugby quarterfinals scheduled for April 3-5 were postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

All eight matches and thus the European club season were suspended by governing body European Professional Club Rugby.

The English Premiership was also suspended for five weeks, following government advice against mass gatherings.

The same advice prompted the English Rugby Football Union to suspend all activities until April 14.

The activities were at professional and community level, “including club training, league and cup matches plus rugby education courses,” the RFU said.

2:35 p.m.

The Baseball Hall of Fame has canceled Hall of Fame Classic weekend because of the spread of the new coronavirus.

The Hall of Fame said advance purchases for the May 22-24 event in Cooperstown, N.Y., will be refunded.

The Hall of Fame is closed to the public indefinitely.

1:50 p.m.

The DeVos family that owns the Orlando Magic has unveiled plans for a $2 million fund to pay hourly workers who will miss time because of sports shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The $2 million will be earmarked to help about 1,800 workers who are employed at Magic games, Lakeland Magic G League games, Orlando Solar Bears minor-league hockey games and other Amway Center events.

In addition, Magic players have told the organization that they want to provide even more money for those workers.

Magic CEO Alex Martins says: “The DeVos Family has a history of stepping up during challenging times. Today is no different. If someone is losing a paycheck because we are not playing, they will be fairly compensated.”

The Magic say the part-time employees will receive paychecks for missed games through what would have been the end of the regular season.

1:35 p.m.

The Arizona Coyotes will pay all part-time arena and team employees through the end of the previously scheduled NHL season.

Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo and his family have partnered with Gila River Arena to pay part-time and hourly arena employees scheduled to work the team’s final eight home games. All part-time and hourly team employees will be paid through April 4.

The Coyotes also will pay part-time Tucson Roadrunners employees affected by the suspension of the American Hockey League.

The NHL announced last week it would pause the 2019-20 season in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Coyotes defenseman Aaron Ness became the NHL’s first known player to be tested for COVID-19 after experiencing flu-like symptoms last week. His agent, Neil Sheehy, said Monday that Ness tested negative for the virus.

1:20 p.m.

The NHRA drag racing series suspended its season 30 days with the intention to resume events April 17-19 in Houston.

An event at Las Vegas has been postponed with no new date announced.

“We made this decision with heavy hearts as we see the effects this pandemic is having on the world,” NHRA said in a statement. “We are all in this complicated uncertain and rapidly changing situation together, and we encourage everyone to look out for each other.”

Other motorsports such as NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One already pulled the plug on racing.

12:45 p.m.

The Penn Relays, one of the oldest and largest track meets in the nation, has been canceled in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Penn Relays were scheduled for April 23-25 and had been held uninterrupted since 1895. The event celebrated its 125th consecutive running last year. The Philadelphia-based University of Pennsylvania says it will attempt to host a substitute track meet at a later date in late May or early June. The new event wouldn’t meet the standard Penn Relays format. The three-day event would shorten into a one-day event for youth, high school and open runners.

The Penn Relays has adapted to worldwide conditions in the past. The meet was altered in 1917 and 1918 when several colleges, including most Ivy League institutions, curtailed their track programs during World War I. During World War II, travel restrictions reduced participation and spectator attendance while gas rationing was in effect in 1943 and 1944.

12:40 p.m.

A staff member of Canucks Sports & Entertainment tested positive for covid-19.

Trent Carroll, chief operating officer of the Vancouver Canucks’ parent company, said the diagnosed individual was in self-quarantine and feeling better.

The organization closed its offices Monday and employees were preparing to work from home “wherever possible.”

“We are receiving guidance from the health authorities on next steps,” Carroll said.

Canucks Sports & Entertainment, formerly known as Orca Bay Sports & Entertainment, owns the NHL Canucks and Rogers Arena, among other properties.