Coronavirus: Sheffield Buddhist meditation centre cancels all classes as UK cases soars to 1,543

The Kadampa Meditation Centre Sheffield on Ecclesall Road has took the decision to shut and suspend all its classes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A statement said: “The Kadampa Meditation Centre and the World Peace Café, as well as our regular classes at venues in Stocksbridge, Rotherham and Retford will be closed to the public from now, March 15.

“We hope that you can understand this decision.

“We are working to ensure that even if we can't meet in person at present, we will still be able to offer you Buddha's wise and compassionate advice and blessings via the internet.

“We are working on streaming our classes and will update you shortly.

“If you have already booked for a meditation class, course or event we will be in touch soon, with the next steps.

“We would like to wish you and your family inner peace, happiness and good health at this time.”

There have been 12 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Sheffield with nearly 1,400 cases reported across the United Kingdom as a whole.

There have been 35 deaths in Britain since the outbreak began.

All EFL and Premier League football has been suspsended until April 3 and in Scotland, mass gatherings of more than 500 people have been banned, with dozens of other sports and entertainment events called off across the globe.