An e-mail to staff sent by Yiannis Exarchos, the chief executive of OBS and the Olympic Channel, and seen by insidethegames, says that all staff who can work remotely should do so.

It follows a series of preventive measures which have been announced by the Madrid Regional Government.

No staff have tested positive for coronavirus and the premises will remain open as some work requires special equipment which cannot be accessed from home.

"Although the premises will stay open and there have been no reported cases of coronavirus among the staff, plus the hygienic care is optimal, as of Wednesday March 11, if you can develop your activity from home, you are encouraged to do so," the e-mail reads.

"Please talk to your manager first to confirm. 

"When working remotely you are expected to be available and reachable during the same time that you would be at the office in normal circumstances.

"All staff working with laptops are requested to take their laptops home with them every time they finish work at the premises, together with their respective power supply units and audio headsets.

"If you don't have internet connectivity at home please inform IT and HR to see if mobile phone connectivity solutions can be arranged. 

"IT services will be available remotely.

"We understand that there are certain activities that require the use of special equipment, such as graphic or editing workstations or control equipment that cannot be operated remotely. 

"Arrangements will be made to secure the access to such equipment. 

"Together with other activities that require physical presence, whenever possible arrangements will be made to avoid rush transport hours as well as to give consideration to those employees with children in schooling ages up to secondary education."

Spain has now reported more than 1,600 cases of coronavirus, and 36 people have died.

Only five other countries have confirmed more patients.

Among the measures introduced by authorities in Madrid is a request for companies to promote remote working.

Schools and universities will close for 15 days and residents have been told that non-essential travel should be avoided.

Elderly people have been told to avoid leaving their homes and extra beds have been called for in hospitals.

"We want to thank you all in advance for your full cooperation in these extraordinary circumstances," Exarchos says in his e-mail.

"Our team has always excelled when faced with challenging situations. 

"We will do so once again." 

A large number of sporting events have now either been postponed or cancelled since the outbreak originated in China.

There have been more than 119,000 cases across the world, and around 4,300 people have died.

OBS produces the live television, radio and digital coverage of both the Olympics and Paralympics.

The Olympic Channel was launched by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) immediately after the conclusion of Rio 2016.

Thomas Bach, the IOC President, has voiced his confidence that the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will go ahead as planned between July 24 and August 9.