Twitter pulls out of SXSW due to fear of Coronavirus

Twitter has confirmed that it is pulling out of the 2020 SXSW conference and festivals due to its concerns about coronavirus.

Twitter’s CEO Jack Dorsey was scheduled to make a keynote presentation and other prominent members were expected to attend the event but all have correspondingly backed out due to the pandemic.

The social media platform revealed why it has chosen not to attend the annual tech event in a recent blog post:

“On February 29, we informed our people and started notifying partners that we are suspending all non-critical business travel and events. Our goal is to lower the probability of the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus for us — and the world around us”.

But SXSW’s event organisers have stated, despite the growing concerns about the containment of the virus, that the event is definitely set to take place.

A spokesman for the Austin, Texas-based tech festival states:

“SXSW is working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal agencies to plan for a safe event. As a result of this dialogue and the recommendations of Austin Public Health, the 2020 event is proceeding with safety as a top priority.”

 

 

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