SXSW canceled due to coronavirus after Austin declares ‘local disaster’

South by Southwest, the annual tech, film and music conference held in Austin, Texas, has been canceled due to concerns surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

Local government officials announced the update at a news conference Friday afternoon discussing the status of the outbreak and events in the city. Austin Mayor Steve Adler said he had declared a local disaster in the city and issued an order canceling the conference.

In a statement on its website, SXSW said it would “faithfully follow the City’s directions.”

“We are devastated to share this news with you,” organizers wrote on the SXSW website. ”‘The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”

RandyMarsh

Article URL : https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/06/sxsw-cancelled-due-to-coronavirus.html