SXSW 2020 Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Concerns

Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

SXSW 2020 Cancelled Due To Coronavirus Concerns

Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images

Tech companies including Amazon, Facebook, Twitter, and Apple pulled out of SXSW this week due to concerns over the spread of coronavirus. Artists like Ozzy Osbourne, Trent Reznor, and the Beastie Boys also cancelled their scheduled appearances. And now, the Verge reports, the city of Austin has decided to cancel the whole festival.

“Based on the recommendation of our public health officer and our director of public health, and after our consultation with the city manager, I’ve gone ahead and declared a local disaster in the city,” Austin Mayor Adler Steve announced at a press conference today. “In association with that, I’ve issued an order that effectively cancels South By Southwest for this year.”

According to Vox, the executive order, issued by Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt, applies countywide and cancels all local public festivals and events for at least seven days. The annual event, which includes tech, music, and film conferences, was scheduled to take place from 3/13-22. This is the first time in its 33-year history that it has been cancelled.

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