The IOF Council held a digital meeting with 16 participants to discuss the impact of the pandemic.

A number of IOF events have been forced to cancel or postpone, including July's World Orienteering Championships in Denmark.

Due to this, the income loss of 50 to 70 percent was predicted. 

A number of immediate cost-reduction measures were subsequently decided on, including the furloughing of 60 per cent of IOF office staff. 

Other actions include reductions in infrastructure investments and travel. 

"We know that at some point in time the situation will return to normal and by agreeing a furlough arrangement with the staff we are able to keep the competency and experience of the staff intact," IOF chief executive Tom Hollowell said.

"In the short term, we will do our best to answer all enquiries in a timely manner but hope for understanding that we may not always be able to respond as quickly as we would like."

The IOF Council also discussed the 2020 General Assembly, which was due to take place alongside the World Orienteering Championships.

It is hoped the General Assembly will be able to occur in October, or it may be held digitally.

"The IOF organisation is strong," IOF President Leho Haldna insisted.

"The significant contribution from our volunteer resources and strong cooperation with our stakeholders is a real asset when we meet challenges as those posed by the COVID-19 virus pandemic.

"I hope that we will all emerge from this situation soon and with a renewed common purpose of developing the sport of orienteering locally and globally."