The event had been scheduled to begin today and run until March 21 at the Club Nautic Arenal.

A statement from 470 World Championship organisers confirmed the event has been postponed following instruction from the Spanish and Balearic Government, as well as the recommendations from World Sailing and the 470 Class.

“We are really sorry for this, but it is a world health issue and we have to introduce the restrictions as requested by the Spanish Authorities,” a statement read.

“The 470 Class, together with the member national associations and the organising club, will investigate the possibility of holding the Worlds in the coming months, after the 15th of April, with more information to come as soon as possible.

“The World Championship is NOT cancelled at the moment.”

Organisers informed all teams already at the venue they can decide to stay or leave.

The event is one of the 470 class' two major competitions of the season, along with the Princesa Sofía Iberostar.

The Princesa Sofía Iberostar, which would have taken place at the same venue from March 25 to April 4, has been cancelled.

Neither event was due to impact Olympic qualification.

The events have become the latest sailing competitions impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.

World Sailing yesterday announced the cancellation of the World Cup competition in Genoa, which would have served as the final Olympic qualifier for Africa, Asia and Europe.

The governing body said they were hoping to reschedule the event to ensure quota places can be allocated.