While the Premier League and FA did eventually take the decision to postpone upcoming football fixtures, the British Government have yet to ban any sort of large public gatherings in their country.
Many shows and concerts are still being held, with the Conservative government reluctant to impose the type of measures we have seen in a number of countries around the world. This approach has been widely criticised in many quarters, including by those in Britain.
It seems that some footballers hold this view. Professional athletes were set to be heavily affected by this policy, playing in full stadiums where the virus could easily be transmitted.
Writing in a new column for The Times, Wayne Rooney said he thought players were being treated as guinea pigs by the authorities:
For players, staff and their families it has been a worrying week. One in which you felt a lack of leadership from the government and from the FA and Premier League.
The rest of sport - tennis, Formula 1, rugby, golf, football in other countries - was closing down and we were being told to carry on.
I think a lot of footballers were wondering, 'Is it something to do with money being involved in this?'. Why did we wait until Friday? Why did it take Mikel Arteta to get ill for the game in England to do the right thing?
After the emergency meeting, at last the right decision was made - until then it almost felt like footballers in England were being treated like guinea pigs.
I know how I feel. If any of my family get infected through me because I've had to play when it's not safe, and they get seriously ill, I'd have to think hard about ever playing again. I would never forgive the authorities.
Rooney has been plying his trade at Derby County since January, but with the Championship now suspended, it is uncertain when the season may finish.
