We’re not trying to make you feel paranoid, but reported cases have shown that the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreaks have worsened, proving that it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. It was recently announced that nearly 20,000 events in China and Hong Kong alone have been cancelled or postponed from January to March this year, according to China Association of Performing Arts. Needless to say, the numbers of affected events have undoubtedly skyrocketed on a global scale.
What are the affected events around the world?
- Facebook has decided to cancel its annual global marketing summit—also one of its largest tech events—F8’s Developer Conference
- The Dalai Lama has postponed ordination ceremonies for new monks and cancelled all his public duties until further notice
- Unfortunately, for those looking forward to doing their pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia this year, they might have to reconsider the trip as the Saudi government announced its temporary travel ban for foreign travellers recently
- As the numbers of reported coronavirus cases continue to rise in Italy, a few European carnivals have been cancelled, particularly in Nice and Venice
- Canto-pop singer Andy Lau regrettably announced that all 12 of his concerts have been cancelled to ensure his fans’ safety and health
- Both Universal Studios Japan and Tokyo Disneyland have announced its closure till March 15
- In Japan, cherry blossom viewing events have also been cancelled
- As one of the countries badly affected by the COVID-19 virus, there’s talk that the Tokyo Olympics 2020 might be cancelled. As it’s scheduled to start on July 24, options are still being deliberated but sources say the final decision would be made “as late as the end of May” should the virus still not be contained by then.
- EDIT 25 March 2020: The 2020 Olympic Games will officially be postponed by one year amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Games will not start on 24 July as scheduled. Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach agreed to postpone the Olympics until 2021—which will still be dubbed Tokyo 2020.
- One of the largest music festivals in the United States, Coachella, has been postponed to October 2020. Initially slated for April, local health authorities advised the organiser to put on hold mass gatherings
Events in Malaysia affected by the coronavirus
- South Korean boy band GOT7 recently announced that their “Keep Spinning” World Tour 2020 in Malaysia has been cancelled. Other countries affected include Taiwan and Singapore
- Probably one of the biggest disappointments for many—BTS had to cancel a few of their concerts in South Korea
- Grammy winner Kenny G was supposed to perform a live concert in Genting Highlands but had to cancel due to the ongoing situation
- Raveena’s Asia world tour in Malaysia is set to reschedule at a later date. In one of her Instagram posts, the Indian-American songstress wrote that “it’s with a super heavy heart that I have to postpone my Asia tour to a later time”, further adding that she’s sorry about the situation. She also had to cancel and postpone her tour dates in Japan, Philippines and Singapore
- Norwegian pop trio A-Ha announced that the ‘Hunting High and Low’ live concert is cancelled in Singapore
- While many had hoped for Khalid to kick off his Asia tour this coming March, the Young, Dumb & Broke singer has postponed his tour dates until further notice
- Tickets to Stormzy’s Asia shows quickly sold out when fans received news that the British rapper will be touring. However, his tour to Malaysia has since been rescheduled to November 10
- Australian singer-songwriter Ruel has postponed his ‘Free Time World Tour’ in Malaysia to September 9
- The South Korean girl group, Twice, announced that the ‘TwiceLights’ concert, scheduled on March 3 and 4 has been postponed to April 15 and 16 in Japan
- Panggung Riuh, one of Kuala Lumpur’s biggest creative events, has been postponed. The organiser announced that the date has been moved forward to July 3 and 4
We’ll update on more cancelled or postponed events as they’re reported.
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