Coronavirus Impact: Google Cancels Annual I/O Conference Due To Safety Concerns

Google has canceled its annual developer conference, Google I/O. The company confirmed the news on Tuesday, citing the growing safety threats posed by the spread of coronavirus. The convention was planned to take place between May 12-14.

After initially halting travel in major epicenters of the virus, like China and Italy, the company has also canceled all international travel for its employees.

Google confirmed in an email to customers that it would be refunding them for any tickets bought for the popular event. These former attendees will also be given the option straight-away to buy tickets for the next I/O event in 2021.

Over 7,000 developers from all over the world attending last year’s conference. I/O allows attendees to meet and discuss development with Google executives, up to and including Sundar Pichai, CEO of parent company Alphabet, as well as interact with the tech giant’s latest products.

“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 Google 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.”

As the virus, officially known as COVID-19, continues to spread globally, at least one Google employee, from the company’s Zurich office, has been officially diagnosed.

The move comes soon after Google previously canceled its “Cloud Next” event, for similar safety-related reasons.