Coronavirus Prompts U Of A To Cancel Chinese New Year Show

TUCSON, AZ – Following similar coronavirus-motivated actions in the cities of Beijing, Paris and throughout the U.S., Tucson’s University of Arizona announced its cancelation of its Global Chinese New Year Festival Show on Saturday afternoon.

Specifically, the show was canceled because of “travel concerns and related challenges arising from the novel coronavirus outbreak,” according to a U of A news release. All activities associated with the festival are also postponed.

“We regret that we have to take this action, but it’s best to be careful at this state,” said Liesl Folks, U of A academic affairs vice president. “Our thoughts are with the victims of this virus in China and here at home, and we’re hopeful that all the people working around the world to contain and control this threat are soon successful.”

To return your U of A Global Chinese New Year Festival Show tickets, call 520-626-5124 to talk to a member of the university’s Confucious Institute, or reach out to the Chinese organization from which you purchased tickets.

The 5 reported coronavirus U.S. cases include a member of the Arizona State University community, Maricopa County confirmed. Monday, ASU provost Mark Searle's statement on the university's website indicated that classes won't be cancelled. The reason: ASU officials believe the risk of coronavirus spreading is low. On Tuesday, the university's website reported that ASU President Michael Crow "has placed a moratorium on student, faculty and staff travel to China until this matter is resolved."

The other U.S. cases are in Illinois and Washington state and two in California.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reported Tuesday that while Monday’s death toll was 81, that number rose to 106 by Tuesday.