The Palaszczuk Government today confirmed Brisbane, Townsville and Gold Coast stadia would be used for EVA Air Queensland Champions Cup games featuring English clubs Crystal Palace, West Ham United and local A-League team Brisbane Roar.

The games have been scheduled in the middle of the local rugby league and union seasons – also flu season – and after a Japanese Super Rugby team relocated a game to Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium due to concerns over COVID-19.

Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the new football events were expected to generate 26,559 visitor nights for local businesses and pump $5.92 million into the economy.

“Tourism businesses are struggling as a result of bushfires and the coronavirus,” Jones said, having urged Australians to holiday in Queensland this year.

“This couldn’t come at a better time.”

On radio 2GB today, Prime Minister Scott Morrison urged anyone who had been in a COVID-19 area to self-isolate and avoid mass gatherings.

Overseas, major sporting events have been cancelled to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the fate of the Tokyo Olympics remains unclear. There has even been speculation of Premier League games taking place behind closed doors if required.

Morrison has previously said Australia was not at the stage of having to cancel major events – official planning documents detail the need to also weigh up the economic and social impacts – but insisted every precaution was being taken.

“It’s a serious issue, but we’re on top of it, as is the state Government in New South Wales, and Queensland, and other places,” Morrison said.

“And people can just go about their business. That is what you can do, most importantly to help the economy, to help each other, and to lower the anxiety levels.”

Queensland has yet to report a confirmed case of COVID-19 being transmitted from person to person locally.

West Ham manager David Moyes has visited Brisbane before, describing it as “a fantastic place with warm and friendly people,” and said Queensland was an ideal place for the team to prepare for the next Premier League season.

“It’s not only a great opportunity for West Ham United to play two exciting games in front of our fans down under, it’s also a great opportunity to visit a beautiful country which I know loves their sport and is extremely knowledgeable about football,” Moyes said.

Roar chief executive David Pourre lauded the initiative as a coup for the sport across Queensland.

“Brisbane Roar prides itself on being a football club for all of Queensland and we are looking forward to playing two exciting fixtures in Townsville and the Gold Coast in July,” he said.

“It is a unique opportunity for Brisbane to also be hosting a fixture featuring two of England’s most famous clubs.”

With AAP