Coronavirus fears hit MWC 2020 as LG pulls out and ZTE cancels conference

Mobile World Congress is due to start in Barcelona in less than three weeks 
A visitor tests LG augmented reality glasses with Nreal light at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona on February 27, 2019. LG has said it will not be attending this year's trade show
PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images
Amelia Heathman5 February 2020

Coronavirus, the flu-type virus which is spreading across the globe, is starting to impact the tech industry with two companies modifying their Mobile World Congress showings later this month as a result.

Today, the Chinese phone manufacturer ZTE confirmed it would be cancelling its press conference at the world’s biggest mobile trade show, which takes place in Barcelona between February 24-27.

In addition, Korean-based tech giant LG has also said it will withdraw from exhibiting and participating at the show completely. In a statement, LG said this decision “removes the risk of exposing hundreds of LG employees to international travel which has already been more restrictive as the virus continues to spread across borders.”

GSMA, the company which organises MWC, said it has implemented measures to help mitigate the spread of the virus including an increased cleaning and disinfection programme, increased onsite medial support, and will be asking attendees to adopt a ‘no-handshake policy.’

Elsewhere in the tech world, Apple has temporarily closed all its stores and offices in China as a result of the outbreak. In a statement the company said: "Out of an abundance of caution and based on the latest advice from leading health experts, we’re closing all our corporate offices, stores and contact centres in mainland China through February 9.

“We will continue to closely monitor the situation and we look forward to reopening our stores as soon as possible.”

Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2019 - In pictures

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Apple CEO Tim Cook said the company does have some suppliers in the Wuhan area, where the virus originated from a wholesale food market, however, Apple is working on mitigation plans to prevent any production loss.

As of February 4, there have been over 20,000 confirmed cases from coronavirus. Two cases have been confirmed in the UK, however health secretary Matt Hancock told BBC Breakfast this morning that he expects to see more cases in Britain.

Hancock said: “There are two cases only here in the UK but we do expect more, so we are taking no chances.”

Update: this article has been updated to reflect that ZTE is only cancelling its conference at MWC and will still be exhibiting at the show.

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