Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) will interrupt their season for at least a week due to the coronavirus. The last game will be on Friday and the season will start again on Saturday, January 22 at the earliest.

KHL leadership said on Monday that it would not interrupt the season, but the rapid spread of virus in clubs forced him to change that decision.

“As of Tuesday morning, 171 people, including 124 hockey players, had a positive coronavirus test among the club members. In 24 hours, this meant an increase of 60 people (including 27 players), “said KHL representatives.

Alexei Morozov, KHL President:

“I want to reiterate – our main goal in pandemic times is the health of players and fans. Nothing has changed on this aspect.

The epidemiological situation is developing rapidly: in the last 24 hours, 60 people in the League got sick, and several clubs showed symptoms of the disease. The KHL will hold games over the next three matchdays with the participation of clubs where there will be no worsening of the epidemiological situation.

The speed of spread of the disease, as well as current information on the epidemiological situation in the country and the world indicate that in the next three days the number of registered cases of coronavirus will increase. That’s why the League decided to postpone four matchdays, where most games will not take place because of the quarantine in the teams.

Postponed games will also be held during the Olympic break, and the KHL will publish a new schedule by the end of January. The FHR has confirmed our ability to hold games during the Olympics; we are in touch to jointly resolve the situation.

I would like to wish everyone to be healthy, take care of yourself, your families and loved ones. Only through joint effort and preventive measures will we be able to determine the winner of the Gagarin Cup for the 2021-2022 campaign.”