Set for El Sunzal Beach, in an area of the country being marketed as "Surf City", the ISA called off the event and it is now due to take place from June 6 to 14.

The new date will be a month after it was previously scheduled on the calendar between May 9 and 17.

These new dates are also in agreement with the World Surf League which last week suspended their season until the end of May. 

A reassessment of the event will come on April 20, based on the development of COVID-19, a form of coronavirus.

The Games are a qualification event for surfing's Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

In a statement, the ISA said: "The ISA will continue to work in close consultation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the ensuing days and weeks concerning potential changes to the qualification process, and any eventual contingency plans, in particular related to the role of the WSG in Olympic qualification."

ISA President Fernando Aguerre also released a statement where he said: "We fully understand and sympathise with the concerns of the surfers from around the world, as we all deal and help with the global efforts to contain this virus.

"These are very difficult, uncertain times for everyone, which is why we must be more united than ever in our love for the ocean and belief in the future.

"We are committed to taking a responsible approach, and to getting back into the water as soon as safely possible."

There are more than 345,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 worldwide, with over 15,000 people dying as a result.

The IOC yesterday announced a four-week window to consider the next steps for Tokyo 2020, and admitted the possibility of a postponement for the first time.