The New Orleans Food and Wine Experience says they are postponing their event that was to start next week, and hope to reschedule for a date later in the year.
"Out of an abundance of caution and concern for all of our guests, vintners, chefs and sponsors, both traveling from outside of Louisiana and those who reside here, we have made the difficult decision to postpone the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience, originally scheduled to start March 18," the festival said in a statement. "We recognize that our stakeholders may be feeling constrained by the COVID-19 outbreak, and we hope this decision lifts some burden on resources and uncertainty."
Organizers said they will honor tickets purchased for the postponed event when they reschedule new dates.
"In the meantime, we urge our local audience to support our restaurants, hotels and vendors affected by this situation, while following guidelines and protocols set forth by public health officials," the statement concluded.