All sport has stopped due to the ongoing pandemic, which has now infected just under 670,000 worldwide and killed more than 30,000.

Subsequently, NSB has reported a major financial loss in recent weeks, with around NOK50 million (£3.8million/$4.7million/€4.3million) cut from the budget for 2020. 

The NSB Board and an internal crisis committee decided 96 employees - 66 per cent of the workforce - would have to be laid off.

This will come in force tomorrow (March 30) and it is not known how long the lay-offs will last. 

NSB has also implemented individual pay cuts to other members of staff. 

"The situation for the NSB is very serious, and I cannot rule out the need for further measures to ensure the operation when the state of emergency is one day over," said NSB secretary general Ingvild Bretten Berg.

"The goal now is to take quick enough measures to secure jobs so that we can resume normal operations and continue as normal as possible when this is over.

"We have talented and committed employees in NSB. 

"In a difficult time not only for us, but also for many around us, it is important to take care of each other as best we can."

Numerous World Cup competitions across International Ski Federation (FIS) disciplines were cancelled due to coronavirus, including the Alpine Skiing World Cup Finals in Cortina.

FIS President Gian-Franco Kasper admitted there are "deep financial consequences" due to the pandemic and warned uncertainty for the sporting industry will be a serious topic in the future.