Traditional hand shakes between opposition players, coaches and officials at Scottish football matches have been suspended with immediate effect.

It’s the first act of the SFA /SPFL Coronavirus Response Group set up on Monday in response to the threat of the epidemic hitting Scotland.

This evening’s Edinburgh derby between Hibs and Hearts and the huge relegation battle at the bottom of the Championship between Partick Thistle and Queen of the South will be the first affected.

But the guidance has been rolled out to all levels of football - from the Premiership down to the juniors and amateurs.

A circular sent to all clubs says handshakes - traditionally done before and after every professional match - should cease until further notice.

(Image: Daily Record)

The COVID-19 is causing worldwide concern after originating in China and quickly spreading with more cases being discovered across the globe daily.

Italy is currently the worst affected European country while Scotland's first case was revealed by the Scottish government on Sunday evening.

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned that Scotland is braced for a “significant outbreak”.

European football remains on high alert amid the escalating coronavirus crisis. Matches have been postponed or moved behind closed doors as the epidemic spreads.

But Record Sport revealed last night that there have been no discussions about a potential lockdown of Scottish football.

And SFA chief executive Ian Maxwell broke off from his duties at today’s Nations League draw to contact the Israeli FA and reassure them there are no plans to play the upcoming Euro 2020 play-off behind closed doors.

Rangers are also keeping a close eye on developments ahead of their Europa League trip to Bayer Leverkusen in two weeks’ time with a growing number of cases in Germany.

UEFA say they are monitoring the situation and there could be “last minute decisions” to close games off to fans or move them to other countries.

Quizzed about the Euro playoffs, general secretary Theodore Theodoridis said: "It'll be a case by case and it'll be a last minute decision very close to the date of the match.

"We have been working on different scenarios. Don't forget the Euros start in June, we have plenty of matches that start in a couple of weeks.

"So there are different scenarios that can be implemented. Allow us not to share any further details right now.

"There are different scenarios for the more urgent matches that are coming in two weeks time. There are plans for everything."

"We have to deal with it on a case by case basis, we do not want to overreact."

On Monday, Switzerland announced it was postponing its domestic league for the next two weeks at least because of coronavirus.

(Image: PA)

UEFA boss Aleksander Ceferin is confident the Euro finals will go ahead as planned this summer, with Glasgow one of the 12 host cities.

Ceferin said: "Do you know how many concerns we have when we organise a big competition? Now we're organising a big competition in 12 countries.

"We have security concerns, we have political instability concerns, especially in 12 countries and one of the concerns is that virus.

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"We are dealing with it, and we are confident we can deal with it."

Ceferin added: "Let's try to be optimistic. Don't think about dark scenarios, there is time for that later."