JUBA, March 20 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's Olympic governing body on Friday suspended all sports events in the country as a preventive measure against the COVID-19.

Juma Stephen Lugga, president of the South Sudan National Olympic Committee (SSNOC), said all sports events scheduled to take place around the country have been canceled until further notice.

Lugga said the suspension was prompted after South Sudan's President Salva Kiir early this week banned all social gatherings.

Lugga said the suspension of the games may affect the country's prospects of participating in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

"We understand there shall be some inconveniences to stakeholders due to the postponement but it is paramount the health and wellbeing of our stakeholders take precedence over any activity," Lugga said

South Sudan has no case of the coronavirus but three of its neighbors, Sudan, Ethiopia and Kenya have all confirmed imported COVID-19 cases.

The East African country last week halted flights to at least 68 countries and regions that have reported local transmission of COVID-19.