CHICAGO (AP) — The CDC is recommending that gatherings of 50 people or more in US be canceled or postponed over next eight weeks because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The virus is curtailing many elements of American life.
Officials and businesses on Sunday took forceful measures to halt the virus's spread.
"Events of any size should only be continued if they can be carried out with adherence to guidelines for protecting vulnerable populations , hand hygiene, and social distancing ," the CDC's statement reads. "When feasible, organizers could modify events to be virtual."
The CDC added that its advisory does not apply to places of business and schools.
While most American professional sports leagues had already suspended play for the time being, the CDC's recommendations will likely further delay play. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA executives believed a "best-case" scenario for resuming the season was "mid-to-late June."
Major League Baseball had hoped to begin its season April 9, but will likely need to further delay the start of its season due to the CDC's newest recommendations.
Theme parks closed, Florida beaches shooed away spring breakers and governors in Ohio and Illinois ordered bars and restaurants shuttered. New York City, New Jersey and elsewhere are considering similar measures.
The nation's top infectious disease official said he would like to see a 14-day national shutdown imposed, but it does not appear President Donald Trump would order that.
