SXSW 2020 é cancelado por temor do novo coronavírus

The South by Southwest, event on creativity and technology held in the U.S. state of Texas, was canceled because of the fear of contagion of the new coronavirus, announced on Friday (6) the organizers of the festival and the authorities of the city of Austin, headquarters of the meeting.

"The city of Austin canceled the March dates of SXSW and SXSW EDU," according to a statement from organizers, adding that they would "faithfully follow the city's instructions."

Austin Mayor Steve Adler said at a news conference that he declared a local disaster in response to COVID-19 and "issued an order that effectively cancels this year's South by Southwest."

The music, technology and film festival, held 33 years ago, was scheduled to take place March 13-22, although Netflix, Apple, Amazon, Facebook and Twitter have reported their withdrawal.

To date, Texas has recorded fewer than 20 cases of new coronaviruses.