Major global events that got canceled due to Coronavirus

Since the news about the spread of Coronavirus has been on the rise, various bodies have found the need to cancel major global events around the world. This various decision was made with the best interest of people at heart and to ensure that, as much as possible, the rate at which people get infected is limited.

Below are major global events that have been either canceled or postponed so far, pending the rate of the spread of coronavirus and how it gets curbed in time.

Google events

The tech company canceled the in-person component of its Google I/O developers conference and Cloud Next conference. The event has rather been scheduled to hold online between April 6 and 8.

World Bank and IMF spring meetings

The annual convening of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington, DC, will be held virtually instead of in person as well.

Global fashion weeks

Fashion weeks in Beijing, Shanghai, and Tokyo, set to take place mid- to late-March, were postponed due to coronavirus. Meanwhile, numerous Chinese fashion brands have pulled out of fashion weeks in Paris and Milan. The French luxury group LVMH canceled a cocktail reception and award ceremony set to take place during Paris Fashion Week.

Religious pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia

The Saudi government announced it is temporarily banning foreign pilgrims from entering the country, which is home to the Muslim holy cities of Mecca and Medina.

Doing Business Under coronavirus conference

A business conference focusing on coronavirus has reportedly been canceled to avoid spreading the virus.

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) canceled a roundtable conference that was meant to take place on Friday, alongside other conferences scheduled between 11 March and 3 April around the US.

The CFR?s ?Doing Business Under Coronavirus? conference joins a growing list of canceled or postponed events in New York state, which holds the largest cluster of cases in the US.

NBA

The NBA has abruptly suspended its season "until further notice." The decision came after a Utah Jazz player tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Utah's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That game was immediately canceled.

At the time the NBA decided to suspend the season, a plan was not yet in place for when the league would resume.

PGA Golf 

The PGA Tour canceled the Players Championship after the first round and all tournaments until the Masters.

The Masters' Tournament has been postponed, the chairman of the Augusta National Golf Club announced on Friday. Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club, said the Masters will  now take place "at some later date."

England: Premier League

The English Premier League has postponed its season until at least April 4. The decision was reached after the league called an emergency meeting. The league had previously postponed the Manchester City vs. Arsenal match after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for coronavirus. 

Several Premier League players have also tested positive for the virus. USMNT midfielder Christian Pulisic and his Chelsea teammates are in self-quarantine after a teammate tested positive. Several players from Leicester City and Manchester City have also tested positive.

CBS Sports reports there is a possibility that the Premier League 2019-20 season may not be completed.

Spain: La Liga

In Spain, all La Liga soccer matches have been suspended for the next two matchdays. 

Italy: Seria A

Italy's top soccer league Serie A played several matches "behind closed doors" in empty stadiums. But the country has now suspended all sporting events until April 3 at the earliest. A defender for top club Juventus has tested positive for the virus.

Coachella and Stagecoach

Organizers of the annual music festival have pushed it back by six months in the direction of health authorities. Goldenvoice announced the rescheduling of the 2020 music festival.

Coachella will now take place over two weekends in October: October 9 to 11 and October 16 to 18. Stagecoach, which highlights country music, will take place on October 23 to 25.

Met Gala 2020 Postponed

This year's Met Gala has been officially postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the event's co-chair Anna Wintour confirmed on Monday.

The various bodies involved in the planning of these events have seen a need to cancel the events due to the constant rise of the pandemic. It is then safe to say it will be to everyone's interest to maintain proper hygiene and stay safe.

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