Football Association of Malawi (FAM) President Walter Nyamilandu has presented clubs in the country with guidelines on how they should train during the coronavirus pandemic.

The league is suspended in Malawi, but clubs are continuing to train in order to keep fit for when matches can resume.

The FAM guidelines are good advice for clubs around the Southern African region who are continuing with their training efforts, and are detailed below.

• Training sessions must be conducted behind closed doors in the absence of supporters.
• Training sessions should be conducted in an environment of not more than 50 people.
• Training sessions shall only be conducted in the presence of a team medical personnel who should check the body temperatures of players before training commences.
• Coaches should avoid conducting sessions that put players in very close contact.
• Avoid shaking hands and hugging.
• Clubs shall provide water and soap or sanitizers for washing hands before and after training.
• Players and coaches should practice hygiene by covering mouth and nose with tissues or sleeve of flex elbow whenever coughing or sneezing.
• When sick with fever, cough or difficulty in breathing, seek medical help.
• Do not share training kit and bathing towels.
• Continue to monitor and constantly assess the situation, get advice and guidance from government and health officials and put contingency plans in place to respond to any emerging trends to Covid-19.

You can watch President Nyamilandu reveal these precautions by clicking here.

All fans from around the region are urged to adhere to the guidelines laid out by the World Health Organisation in the bid to combat the coronavirus outbreak, which include:

Wash your hands frequently: Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.

Maintain social distancing: Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth: Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene: Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early: Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.