COVID-19 cancels events major events worldwide
INTERNATIONAL– A number of large events, festivals and gatherings have been cancelled due to the spread of the coronavirus
Aneesa Adams
aneesa.adams@caxton.co.za
Taking a look at global and local events cancelled due to Covid-19.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared the country a state of National Disaster due to the spread of COVID-19 on Sunday 15 March.
As it stands over 7 000 people globally have died from the illness. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) there has been more than 173 000 confirmed infections in 140 countires worldwide.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), they will continue to enhance outbreak response activities to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the country. The novel virus has caused countries around the world to cancel or postpone major events set to take place in the coming months.
The country and the world has reacted, let’s take a look:
Sporting events:
q All elite British football has been suspended until 3 April.
q Super Rugby suspended some of their games.
q The NBA in the United States of America has decided to postpone its 2020 season after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19
q Two Ocean’s Marathon meant to take place in Cape Town on the 11 April. All Two Oceans Marathon events have been cancelled. Race director Debra Barnes said that the decision was taken after consulting with health experts and authorities.
q The London Marathon has been moved from 26 April to 4 October, with the Manchester and Brighton Marathons are also postponed.
q Formula 1 has called off the Vietnam Grand Prix on 5 April. Formula E is suspended for two months, affecting races in Paris, Seoul and Jakarta.
q F1 Joburg Festival in Sandton due to take place on the 29 March has been postponed to protect the safety of all fans and participants attending the event.
Concerts, festivals and social gatherings:
q The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has postponed the event due to the risk posed by COVID-19
q Held on the first Monday of May every year, The Met Gala which takes place in New York City has also been postponed indefinitely. With increasingly tight quarantine measures in New York City, it has prompted organisers to postpone.
q The annual Human Rights Festival which takes place on home soil at Constitution Hill has also been cancelled.
q The Operation Eco Warrior river clean-up in Morningside has also been postponed.
q The upcoming Boyz II Men South African tour and the Scorpion Kings Live concert meant to take place next month at Times Square Arena in Pretoria has been officially postponed.
q The Jewish Literary Festival in the Mother City has been postponed to limit the transmission of COVID-19.
q The most popular party in the Karoo- Afrika Burn has also been cancelled. In a statement by the organisers, they said that they were heartbroken at the cancellation. “We have had to make this difficult decision out of duty of care to our global community at this time,” said the organisers.
q Volkswagen South Africa has postponed the third instalment of VIVOnation which was set to take place at the beginning of April.
q The Eswatini MTN Bushfire is one of Africa’s most coveted events and has also been cancelled. Set to take place in May the organisers want to prioritise the safety of the staff, guests and the community.
For more information on the coronavirus visit: www.nicd.ac.za
