A fan waves the flag of Romania during the UEFA Europa League Group E football match Lazio Rome vs CFR Cluj on Nov 28, 2019 at the Olympic stadium in Rome. (FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP)

BUCHAREST - The football matches in Romania League I will be played with the gates closed from Sunday due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus, said the secretary general of the Professional Football League, Justin Stefan.

Meanwhile, the Romanian Football Federation also announced the cessation of organizing any matches with spectators, following the decision of the Romanian government.

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The Romanian authorities announced earlier on the day to ban all activities involving more than 1,000 people, either indoors or outdoors, in an effort to prevent the spread of coronavirus in the country.

The measure that took effect on Sunday is valid until March 31 and may be extended, announced Raed Arafat, head of the Department of Emergency Situations.