The International Skating Union has suspended the introduction of new figure skating judging guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic ©Getty Images

The International Skating Union (ISU) has suspended the introduction of new figure skating judging guidelines due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The governing body updated the scale of values of elements and some judging guidelines to reflect current developments in figure skating in May. 

The most significant change was the equalisation of the quad lutz, flip and loop, with all three given the same base value of 11.00 points. 

In addition, the triple lutz and triple flip were given the same base value of 5.30 points, with the triple lutz previously worth 5.90.

There were also some changes in the levels of difficulty and guidelines for marking the grade of execution and programme component scores.

ISU had updated the scale of values of elements in May, but this has now been suspended ©Getty Images
ISU had updated the scale of values of elements in May, but this has now been suspended ©Getty Images

The implementation of these changes has now been suspended with "immediate effect". 

This is due to the development of the coronavirus pandemic worldwide and the slow re-opening of ice rinks and training activities.

Feedback from ISU members also contributed to the decision. 

The old guidelines currently remain in force, but some clarifications and minor adjustments are being discussed by the ISU Council and Single and Pair Skating Technical Committee.