DUBAI LYNX SHIFTED TO SEPTEMBER
Move comes to protect industry from Covid-19.
The Dubai Lynx International Festival of Creativity has been postponed until September, its organisers have announced.
Lynx, which is co-owned by UK-based Ascential and Campaign
Middle East parent company Motivate Media Group, said the decision was based on current fears about the spread of the novel coronavirus and the disease, Covid-19, it causes.
In a statement, Dubai Lynx said: “In light of recent developments in respect to Covid-19 we have taken the difficult decision to postpone the Dubai Lynx Festival. Our priority is absolutely the safety of our attendees, delegates and team. We are going to reschedule the festival from March 8-11 to September 6-9, 2020 at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. Please note that all entries will be valid for the new festival dates along with all passes and awards seats purchased.
We will keep you updated with further information.”
Other events in the UAE have also been cancelled and postponed, including the final leg of the UAE Tour cycling competition, which was cancelled after two Italian competitors tested positive for the virus. The Dubai Boat Show was also among the events postponed to a later date.
Schools in Dubai were first asked to cancel events to prevent the spread of the disease, and then closed for four weeks.
Nurseries have been closed, and Emirates staff have been been offered voluntary leave, both paid and unpaid.
Abu Dhabi newspaper The National has reported that organisers of the Dubai Expo 2020, scheduled to begin in October, are “closely monitoring the coronavirus outbreak … and are hopeful the virus will be under control soon”.