The San Diego Comic-Con has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. It is first time in 50 years that the world’s largest comic book convention has been officially cancelled. The event will be held in July 2021, organisers said.
The annual event was scheduled to take place from July 23 through July 26 in and around the San Diego Convention Centre. “Continuous monitoring of health advisories and recent statements by the Governor of California have made it clear that it would not be safe to move forward with plans for this year,” organisers said in a statement Friday. "Recognising that countless attendees save and plan for its conventions each year, and how many exhibitors and stakeholders rely upon its events for a major portion of their livelihood, they had hoped to delay this decision in anticipation that COVID-19 concerns might lessen by summer," they added.
The San Diego Comic-Con is one of the city’s largest events that sees gathering of more than 1,30,000 people. The massive event which sees people don elaborate costumes might make it difficult for social distancing norms and other restrictions in the wake of the pandemic.
With people coming in from across the world for the event, it also is a major boon for the city’s businesses. Bookings had been made in advance, and organisers have stated steps on how users can sort that. People who have already purchased badges for the convention can either request for a full refund or transfer their badges for the same event next year. Those who made hotel reservations will also be refunded, organisers said.
The convention centre is also currently being used as a temporary homeless shelter as a measure to help curb the spread of the virus.
