The EFL have confirmed that all football activity set to take place this weekend and until 3rd April will be postponed due to the coronavirus.
A statement reads: "In light of overnight developments, the EFL board has met this morning to discuss the ever-changing circumstances posed by the spread of the COVID-19 [coronavirus] outbreak.
"Having considered the increased number of cases affecting club players and staff, the board were unanimous in their approach and it has been determined that all football activity scheduled to take place this weekend and until 3rd April 2020 will be postponed.
"For the avoidance of any doubt this includes all matches in the Championship, League One and League Two, as well as all academy and youth team fixtures and will take us beyond the next international round.
"The arrangement of training programmes for professional players in the interim period remains a matter for each individual club and we advise all academy training is suspended until 3rd April 2020.
Please note - Tickets will remain valid for the re-scheduled event, however should you wish to obtain a refund on any of the postponed games then please return your tickets for a full refund. https://t.co/kufTmDAIc0– Ipswich Town FC Tickets (@ITFC_Tickets) March 13, 2020
"In addition to this the League instructs all clubs to suspend indefinitely all non-essential business which include, but are not limited to, player appearances, commercial activities training ground visits and fan meetings.”
Town's League One game at Bristol Rovers scheduled for Saturday is the first to be postponed and the suspension covers the subsequent home match with Portsmouth, while the Blues aren't in action the following weekend anyway as they were set to face now-expelled Bury.
The Premier League, Barclays FA Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship have also been suspended for the same period.
The move sees the EFL and the other football authorities go beyond the Government's advice.
"Whilst the EFL board has continued to take the advice and guidance offered by the Government and its health advisors, emerging developments mean now is the time to implement football’s contingency plans in response to the crisis," the EFL added.
"A further update on these plans will be given post an EFL board meeting next week.
"This decision has not been taken lightly, but the EFL must prioritise the health and well-being of players, staff and supporters while also acknowledging the Government’s national efforts in tackling this outbreak."