ALBION have asked players to stop posing for selfies and signing autographs to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus.

The Premier League club has taken a series of precautions to protect its stars and staff as concerns over the illness grow.

As a result, all player appearance across the men's and women's squads will be postponed.

Players defied coronavirus fears when facing rivals Crystal Palace at the weekend, opting to shake hands with the opposition.

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But players have now been advised to minimise physical contact, including handshakes, hugging and hi-fives.

Other protective measures include encouraging good hand hygiene and regular washing with soap and water, "particularly when switching locations or travelling around", and ensuring good hygiene in and around office spaces.

The club will also seek to restrict non-essential internal and external meetings at both the Amex and training ground, instead opting to host meetings via video calls to "limit non-essential travel".

Remaining precautions to be put in place are to "restrict all non-essential access to stadium and training ground areas regularly used by our various men’s and women’s playing staff", "minimising risks from external visitors through a self-certification process" and "holding essential meetings away from main office areas".

An Albion spokesman said: "In common with other football clubs and many other businesses in this country and around the world, we are closely monitoring the situation with regard to coronavirus.

"In particular, we are keen to play our part in preventing the spread of the virus insofar as it is possible and practical for us to do so.

"Currently the risk of widespread infection is still relatively low but, given what we know from across the world, things can change quickly.

"So we do now consider it to be prudent for us to implement some additional measures to minimise risks to our club, players and staff, based on government and NHS advice."

The club added that "the onus is on all of us to ensure we implement these guidelines in our day-to-day lives, at work, home and school, to minimise the risk of the spread of the coronavirus".

The spokesman said: "We would also ask our supporters to help us implement these measures — which we hope will only be for the short term – by co-operating with and respecting the temporary restrictions and more limited access to our property, players and staff we are implementing.

"We will, of course, continue to be guided by the government, NHS, Premier League and The FA with regard to any further measures which may be necessary to combat the spread to staff and public.

"In the meantime, we apologise for any inconvenience that may be suffered."