This yr’s SXSW formally canceled attributable to coronavirus issues

Photograph: Robert MacPherson/AFP (Getty Pictures)

After greater than 20 firms—together with Amazon, Warner Media, Fb, Apple, and Twitter—and personalities like Ozzy Osbourne pulled out of this yr’s SXSW attributable to issues over the present outbreak of coronavirus, Austin mayor Steve Adler, Travis County judge Sarah Eckhardt, and others gathered Friday afternoon to announce {that a} “native catastrophe” had been declared within the metropolis and that the competition has been formally canceled. It was described by Austin officers as a “medical and data-driven resolution.” Additionally they emphasised that this was not a “panic-based resolution.”

This comes after Austin Public Heath official Mark Escott downplayed concerns on Wednesday, saying, “[T]right here is no proof that closing South By Southwest or different actions goes to make this group safer.”

Escott maintained this perspective throughout at present’s announcement, however stated that an occasion of SXSW’s dimension may doubtlessly “speed up” the unfold of the virus. He additionally stated that, as of at present, there aren’t any confirmed instances of COVID-19 in Travis County.

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