Vancouver's largest trade, the Vancouver International Auto Show, is being postponed.
The annual auto show had been set for March 25 to 29 Vancouver Convention Centre West. But it is being postponed, in the wake of the World Health Organization's declaration yesterday that the COVID-19 virus is now officially a pandemic.
Public health agencies say social distancing is one way to reduce the spread of the virus, and conferences, sporting events and concerts are being cancelled all over North America.
"Part of the decision challenge was this is a big, big event with lots of downstream impact, to staff at the convention centre that now won't be working there that day and on and on," said New Car Dealers Association president Blair Qualey. "So the ripple effect is pretty significant. We didn't take this decision lightly."
A new date for the show has not been set yet. People who bought tickets to the show can get a refund from their point of purchase.
