SXSW cancelled for first time in 34 years due to coronavirus concerns

SXSW is the latest event to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak, with the City of Austin calling off the annual festival just one week before it was set to be held from 13-22 March.

While Austin Public Health earlier this month that “there’s no evidence that closing SXSW or any other gatherings will make the community safer”, SXSW said in a statement announcing the news that the “situation evolved rapidly”. It’s the first time in 34 years the event has been cancelled.