Google is canceling its I/O developer conference in 2020 as the ongoing coronavirus outbreak continues to spread. The I/O 2020 conference was scheduled between 12th to 14th May 2020.
Google also said in an email to attendees that it will refund those who already bought tickets. The company confirms that it has halted international employee travel and is advising currently traveling employees to return home. Google had initially restricted its employees from traveling to several countries including China, Italy, and Iran.
“Due to concerns around the coronavirus (COVID-19), and in accordance with health guidance from the CDC, WHO, and other health authorities, we have decided to cancel the physical Google I/O event at Shoreline Amphitheatre,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“Over the coming weeks, we will explore other ways to evolve Google I/O to best connect with and continue to build our developer community. We’ll continue to update the Google I/O website,” the statement continued.
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The company is, however, looking for an alternative format of engaging the audience that would have traveled for the conference.
Google also cancels its Cloud Next event in San Francisco
The Google I/O developer conference cancellation comes just a few days after Google canceled its Cloud Next event in San Francisco in favor of a “digital-first” event.
On this cancellation, the company’s statement explained:
“We are transforming the event into Google Cloud Next ’20: Digital Connect, a free, global, digital-first, multi-day event connecting our attendees to Next ’20 content and each other through streamed keynotes, breakout sessions, interactive learning and digital ‘ask an expert’ sessions with Google teams.”
In 2019, over 7,000 people attended Google I/O conference. The event also offers attendees an opportunity to interact freely with executives and Google experts.
One Google employee in its Zurich offices had tested positive for the virus. We also reported that an Amazon employee also tested positive for the virus.
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