NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — The coronavirus outbreak in New York is beginning to lead to some major event cancelations and delays.
On Tuesday, organizers for the New York International Auto Show, which was scheduled for April, said the event will be rescheduled for late summer. The show will now run from Aug. 28 to Sept. 6.
"We are taking this extraordinary step to help protect our attendees, exhibitors and all participants from the coronavirus," said Mark Schienberg, president of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association, the organization that owns and operates the New York Auto Show.
He adds: "For 120 years, ‘the show must go on’ has been heavily embedded in our DNA, and while the decision to move the show dates didn’t come easy, our top priority remains with the health and well-being of all those involved in this historic event."
Meanwhile, the New York City Half Marathon, scheduled for March 15, has been canceled entirely.
New York Road Runners released a statement confirming the cancelation saying, “the welfare of our running community is always our top priority.”
"Over the past week the NYRR team worked hard to adjust plans, implementing modifications and accommodations to alleviate crowding and facilitate social distancing," NYRR said. "Unfortunately, it has become clear that we will be unable to proceed in the manner that our runners have come to expect at NYRR events, where the safety and security of our runners, volunteers, staff, partners, and spectators are our main concern."
All runners who registered with the running organization will be contacted to receive a full refund of their entry fee, or guaranteed non-complimentary entry to the 2021 NYC Half Marathon.
In preparation for more widespread illnesses, the Jacob Javits Center has also canceled a number of upcoming events, according to WCBS 880’s Peter Haskell.
The Vison Expo East, World Floral Expo, Beauty Experience in New York and the Spa Show will no longer be held. All have said to be impacted by the international travel restrictions.
It’s unclear if any financial penalties will be levied. The combined revenue from the shows was expected to be over $50,000 and hotels, restaurants and other businesses will soon feel the effects.
On Tuesday, there were a total of 173 positive coronavirus cases in the state of New York – including 36 in New York City.
The state has yet to report any deaths and local officials are taking a variety of measures to slow the spread of the virus.