The world’s biggest phone show, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) that takes place every year in the last week of February has been cancelled due to the growing concern of the Coronavirus. The Mobile World Congress sees exhibitors from all over the world attend the show as the latest in smartphone technology is revealed to the masses. A few weeks ago LG pulled out and ZTE cancelled their press event but it seems the show just won’t go on this year.
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In a statement, GSM Association CEO John Hoffman said the Coronavirus has made it impossible to host the event.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”#FAB71D” class=”” size=”21″] “With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event. The Host City Parties respect and understand this decision. The GSMA and the Host City Parties will continue to be working in unison and supporting each other for MWC Barcelona 2021 and future editions. Our sympathies at this time are with those affected in China, and all around the world.” [/perfectpullquote]
The GSMA originally planned on going ahead with the Mobile World Congress and release guidelines recommending that attending don’t shake hands and wear masks at all times due to the Coronavirus. They even went as far as banning visitors who were coming from China to attend the event. It seems that cancelling it for now is the best thing to do.
The deadly Coronavirus has seen infections hit an all-time high of 42,000 people with over 1,000 deaths reported in Wuhan and the Hubei Province of China. At least 25 countries have now reported cases of the virus across the globe. We have a feeling that this is the first of many tech shakeups the Coronavirus will cause this year.
