The Bundesliga 2 clash between 3rd placed VfB Stuttgart and league leaders DSC Arminia Bielefeld will be played as scheduled today evening despite the coronavirus outbreak. The decision was made earlier today after consultations between hosts VfB Stuttgart and the State Ministry of Social Affairs and Integration, Government of Baden-Wuerttemberg and the State Capital of Stuttgart.

The decision to go ahead with the match was taken after a close look at all relevant information and especially security reasons the authorities informed. The local police had advised not to cancel the match at such short notice as many travelling away fans were already on their way to Stuttgart.

The club and authorities appeal urgently to all fans to observe the prevention measures published by VfB Stuttgart. The public health department has also issued an order based on recommendations made by the Robert Koch Institute:
• Individuals who have travelled to one of the coronavirus affected risk areas in the last 14 days are not permitted to attend the match.
• Individuals who had contact to a coronavirus patient are not permitted to attend the match.

Following regions have been declared as coronavirus affected risk areas (effective March 9):
• Italy: Trentino-South Tyrol region, Emilia-Romagna region, Lombardy region, City of Vo in the Padua region
• China: Hubei province incl. City of Wuhan
• Iran: Ghom province, Teheran
• South Korea: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

Furthermore, the authorities urge individuals suffering from severe respiratory diseases such as sore throat, cough and cold to stay away from the stadium and to take rest at home, while minimising the risk to infect other individuals.

The Bundesliga 2 match will kick off at 20:30 CET at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Stuttgart.