Players in Brazil told to take three-week holiday

An aerial view of empty soccer fields in Flamengo neigborhood during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, March 26, 2020. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

(Reuters) - Footballers in Brazil were told to take a three-week paid holiday due to the coronavirus pandemic on Thursday, with professional clubs asking them to return on April 20.

All four divisions in Brazil’s national championships are due to start in early May. The state championships that began in January were suspended earlier this month.