The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) said it made the decision "in response to updated Government directives intended to minimize the risk of exposure and spread of COVID-19 and the postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games".

There is a similar situation in Spain, where the Spanish Agency for Health Protection in Sport has said it is providing athletes with medical advice rather than testing them.

Other anti-doping authorities such as UK Anti-Doping and the United States Anti-Doping Agency have scaled back their programmes in light of the crisis.

"The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is actively monitoring these adjustments", said a CCES statement. 

"The CCES will continue to update WADA on the adjustments we are taking in Canada.

"Athletes continue to be subject to the Canadian Anti-Doping Program during this time."

"Based on guidance from WADA, all Registered Testing Pool athletes are required to file and maintain their whereabouts information in ADAMS."

There have been more than 4,500 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Canada and 55 deaths, with the Canadian Government advocating social distancing, which is not compatible with frequent anti-doping tests.

Yesterday, WADA President Witold Bańka told insidethegames that athletes would not be able to use the crisis to break the rules.

"Anti-doping never sleeps, that is my message to the athletes," Bańka said.

"We have the Athlete Biological Passport, long-term analysis, intelligence and investigations and others, which will be key tools in the coming weeks and months.

"This is not space for cheats and I can say to the athletes that we will do everything we can to protect clean athletes during this time."

WADA has issued guidance for anti-doping organisations on how to operate amid the pandemic, including steps sample-collection personnel should take to protect themselves and athletes.