Event planners all over the seven emirates of the UAE are announcing the cancellation of a number of major events due to the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak; these include the Dubai International Boat Show, DJ Mag Conference on YAS Island, the Al-Ain Yogafest, as well as the UAE cycling tour. Other organizers are closely monitoring the situation.
The Dubai International Boat Show, which was supposed to begin this month, has been effectively postponed to the 24th of November.
A statement on their official website read: “Whilst the UAE remains completely safe for travel, and has deployed the strictest medical and hygiene protocols, we fully recognize that for some specific shows, we have a high majority of key participants significant to the event’s program that are unable to travel due to restrictions in their home country. As such, we have been working closely to assure that our clients’ needs are most effectively addressed, and the delivery of strong international participation considered, in these extraordinary times.”
The run up to Ultra Abu Dhabi event, the DJ Mag Conference, was cancelled as YAS Island undergoes a complete quarantine. The event was supposed to have around 100 attendees from across the EDM scene. However, the major Ultra Abu Dhabi, which is expected to have more than 20,000 attendees, is still scheduled for Thursday, the 5th of March.
In the Emirate of Al-Ain, the highly-anticipated Yogafest was cancelled because of fears of the COVID-19 outbreak. The event was due to take place at Al Jahili Park on Thursday, the 5th of March and Friday, the 6th.
The UAE’s cycling governing body, the UCI, has also announced that the final two stages of the UAE Cycling Tour were cancelled because of two cases of coronavirus.
Right now, the country is taking precautionary measures to keep the situation from escalating. In late February, the UAE has suspended flights to Iran after numerous cases were identified there.