The NHL announced Thursday that it is suspending the 2019-20 season.

On Wednesday, the WHO classified coronavirus/COVID-19 as a pandemic, the NBA and other sports leagues suspended their seasons, and the DC department of health urged the cancellation of mass gatherings. The cancellations are part of a mitigation effort to “flatten the curve” of the disease’s spread to lower the stress on the healthcare system and save more lives.

The @NHL pauses 2019-20 season. https://t.co/WMePei4clH pic.twitter.com/W5Hqmk3kX7

— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 12, 2020

“In light of ongoing developments resulting from the coronavirus, and after consulting with medical experts and convening a conference call of the Board of Governors, the National Hockey League is announcing today that it will pause the 2019-20 season beginning with tonight’s games,” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said.

“The NHL has been attempting to follow the mandates of health experts and local authorities, while preparing for any possible developments without taking premature or unnecessary measures. However, following last night’s news that an NBA player has tested positive for coronavirus – and given that our leagues share so many facilities and locker rooms and it now seems likely that some member of the NHL community would test positive at some point – it is no longer appropriate to try and continue to play games at this time.

“We will continue to monitor all the appropriate medical advice, and we will encourage our players and other members of the NHL community to take all reasonable precautions – including by self-quarantine, where appropriate. Our goal is to resume play as soon as it is appropriate and prudent, so that we will be able to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup. Until then, we thank NHL fans for your patience and hope you stay healthy.”

TSN’s Darren Dreger added that no travel, meetings, or practices will be allowed and that players and executives are expected to go home and stay home until they are called back.

More details on the NHL suspending play. No travel allowed. No meeting. No paractices. However, it’s a rapidly changing environment. For now it’s go home, go home and stay home until further notice.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 12, 2020

The AHL is expected to follow suit later in the day.

AHL also expected to follow the NHL’s lead and announce a pause. AHL conference call scheduled for 3pm et.

— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 12, 2020

NHL organizations have been asked to provide building availability through the end of July.

Hearing as part of the #NHL's due diligence process, teams have been asked to provide arena building availability through the end of July.

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) March 12, 2020