The Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak has led to cancellations and postponements both here in New Zealand and around the world, with big concerts, sports events and major festivals all affected.
The 2020 Pasifika festival has been cancelled due to concerns over the Covid-19 coronavirus. Photo: RNZ / Amy Williams
Cancelled/postponed in New Zealand
New Zealand's number of confirmed coronavirus cases has stood at five for six days running, but some events aren't taking any chances, including:
- Auckland's Pasifika Festival has been cancelled amid concerns about the risk of the virus being transmitted to the Pacific Islands by festival attendees, with Mayor Phil Goff making the call after discussions with the Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and the Samoan High Commissioner. It was due to start tomorrow and expected to draw 60,000 people at Western Springs.
- One of the biggest surf events seen in New Zealand, the Corona Piha Pro, has been postponed, with The World Surf League deciding to postpone all events in March.
- Two rock bands have postponed concerts in Auckland - Deftones were set to perform at Trusts Arena on Sunday and My Chemical Romance at Western Springs later this month. Both bands are looking to reschedule, tickets for both shows will remain valid and refunds are also available.
The Broadway theater district has been closed down due to coronavirus concerns. Photo: AFP
Cancelled/postponed/closed around the world
Hundreds of events, shows, sports tournaments and gatherings have been cancelled around the world due to the coronavirus. These include:
- The Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix has been cancelled after a McLaren Racing Team has tested positive for coronavirus.
- Basketball and hockey fans in North America will miss out on games, with both the NBA and the NHL suspending their seasons.
- The US PGA Tour has cancelled The Players Championship and all tour events for the next few weeks.
- The massive E3 video game conference in Los Angeles has been canned, and American music festival South by Southwest has also been cancelled. The Coachella Festival, due to be held next month, has been put off until October.
- There will be no Broadway shows in New York for the rest of the month, while Disney has closed its Disneyland and Disneyworld theme parks in California and Florida, as well as several others around the globe.
- The ATP has suspended its professional men's tennis tour for six weeks, and the world figure skating championships have been cancelled.
- Several blockbuster movies have had their release dates pushed back as filmgoers stay away from the cinema, including the latest Fast and Furious instalment - pushed back by 11 months - and new James Bond movie No Time To Die, which has been delayed until November.
- The Van Gogh museum and the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam are closed until end of March, while New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art is temporarily closing all three of its locations in the city. All Smithsonian museums in Washington DC and New York City will close from Saturday.
- Qatar has announced the closure of all cinemas, theatres, gyms, play areas and museums.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Going crowdless
Some major sporting events are going ahead, but will be a lot quieter than usual, with no fans in the stands:
- The three-match Chappell-Hadlee cricket series between the Black Caps and Australia will take place in empty stadiums, with two matches to be played at Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday and Sunday, and the third at Hobart's Blundstone Arena.
- The Highlanders' Super Rugby game against the Jaguars in Buenos Aires on Sunday will be also played in an empty stadium because of the coronavirus.
Tuuletar performing at a Womad pop-up show at Puke Ariki in New Plymouth on Thursday. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
Still going ahead (so far)
Some events are still going ahead, at this stage. These include:
- The WOMAD music festival is going ahead at Brooklands Park in New Plymouth this weekend, although organisers are asking people who feel unwell to stay home as part of their plans to mitigate the effects of the virus.
- The St Patrick's Parade on Queen Street in central Auckland is set to start at midday tomorrow, while the Irish Music and Dance Festival will be held outside Auckland Town Hall, from 12:30pm - 3:30pm.
- Despite organisers admitting a delay of one or two years would be the "most feasible" option if the Tokyo Olympics can't be held this year, the games are still set to take place.
- Commemorations to make the 15 March mosque terror attacks are still set to take place in Christchurch on Sunday.
- While Pasifika has been cancelled, the Auckland secondary schools' dance festival Polyfest starts next week, running from from Wednesday to Saturday.
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