PM Boris Johnson states it is business as usual with Coronavirus threatening Cheltenham

Boris Johnson

Boris Johnson yesterday stated the UK's plans ahead of the ongoing Coronavirus scare that has rocked the world over the last few weeks but assured the British public that at this time it is business as usual.

This comes as superb news for racing fans with the Cheltenham festival now just a week away and many people fearing that the greatest show on turf may not go ahead this season.

However, at this moment in time it looks all systems go for racing to take places a week today at Prestbury Park with punters and racegoers set for another thrilling four days of action.

(Credit Racing Post) The Prime Minister said: "This is a problem that is likely to become more significant for this country in the course of the next days and weeks and therefore we've been making every possible preparation for that and this country is very well prepared.

"We've agreed a plan so that if and when it starts to spread, as it looks likely it will, we are in a position to take the steps that will be necessary, reasonable and possible to contain the spread of the disease as far as we can and to protect the most vulnerable.

"We'll be announcing that plan and the details not only tomorrow but in the course of the days and weeks ahead as the thing develops. I wish to stress that at the moment it is very important that people consider that they should go about business as usual."

The betfair exchange has reacted to this news with the odds for the festival to be off before this speech by Johnson being around 6/4 but it is now out to 3/1 for the four day event to not go ahead.