IN light of the coronavirus being so wide spread and with little or no let up on the spread globally, would it not be prudent and right to put restrictions worldwide in place? Yes it will be hard and the tourism industry will suffer in the short run.

All major fashion and sport get togethers of multiple amounts of people eg the Tour de France, all should be restricted to lower the risk.

We are only four months away from one of the biggest sporting events of this year, as Japan prepares to host the Olympic Games, where many competitors from every country will gather to participate. All will be joined by spectators who wish to watch the games.

If the virus has not been halted, then the consequences of mass infections continue.

Surely the powers that be should make the decision sooner than later to postpone these events, until there is a slowdown, full containment or cure found.

Alison Porter, Darlington.