The coronavirus threat has spread across major countries in several continents and the cases continue to increase with each passing day.
Despite this, the Ultra Music Festival (UMF), Middle East Film, and Comic Con are expected to still likely to take place on the scheduled dates.
Several mega events, which were scheduled for upcoming months in the country’s capital and Dubai are also under consideration to battle the increasing threat of coronavirus.
The management invested a lot of time and money intro UMF, which is why they could not postpone the event. However, DJ Mag Conference has officially announced the cancellation of the event as well. In addition to that, the Abu Dhabi Creative Reader Festival has also been put on hold for the time being and no tentative date has been provided for it either.
There has been no official word from Coca Cola arena and Global Village after their events were also cancelled.
DJ Mag Conference was set to be held at the W Hotel, where two of their technical staff members were tested positive for COVID-19 during the UAE tour. This prompted DJ Mag Conference to cancel the event as part of their security precaution.
The management released a stated regarding the DJ Mag Conference:
Following the decision by the Department of Health – Abu Dhabi to place the W Hotel on Yas Island on temporary lockdown, we regret to inform you that the DJMag conference due to take place on March 3,4 will be cancelled.
They further added that people who purchased the tickets for the event will be fully refunded and further details will be provided on their website in coming days.
UMF to Take Place Despite Coronavirus Threat
The first Ulra Music Festival (UMF) will take place at Abu Dhabi and like Electronic Dance Music (EDM), both events will attract thousands of visitors. Despite the increasing threat of the COVID-19, the organisers announced that the events will take place as scheduled.
The organisers officially stated:
There are no plans to cancel, postpone or move the 2020 production.
The UMF event is scheduled to take place on 5th and 6th of March where likes of DJ Snake, Kshmr, Grammy award-winning ZEDD, Major Lazer, Eric Prydz, and Afrojack are likely to perform. These are just a few of the mainstream music artists and the organisers claim they have a few more big names pending confirmation.
As part of their protocol to manage risk, the notice said:
Event organisers have been coordinating with the relevant authorities regarding public health issues and will continue to coordinate with and follow the recommendations and protocols relating to risk reduction and preventative measures by, Abu Dhabi Department of Health and other regulatory agencies.
Comic Con Also Ready for Action
The Comic Con is set to take place on 5th to 7th March at Dubai World Trade Centre and thousands of people are expected to participate.
The organisers said that they are aware of the increasing threat of coronavirus and the event will have hand sanitising stations placed at various locations.
In addition to that, the source added:
DWTC has put in place thermal cameras as an additional measure for visitors’ convenience. All areas will be cleaned regularly, and as ever, we have medical assistance onsite and available for advice and support.
Dr. Mirhan Mohamed Alkady, who is a senior specialist of Clinical Pathology, shared some of his insight as to how to reduce the risk of coronavirus.
Crowded areas are a breeding ground for viruses; not just COVID-19, but events of all kinds. The route of transmission is through droplets, so anyone is vulnerable. Just like how other members of a family are vulnerable if one is infected.
