Final Update: The 2020 Geneva Motor Show has been cancelled. As suspected, the Swiss government jumped in and took the decision to ban all events gathering more than 1,000 people until 15 March 2020. You can read more details over here.

Update #2: This just in; the organizers of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show told CarScoops that “We will reassess the situation of GIMS tomorrow (Friday, February 28) during the day and inform accordingly.” We will be following this developing story and update accordingly as we learn more.

Update #3:  On Thursday, February 27, 2020, Swiss authorities confirmed three new coronavirus cases, including one in the canton of Geneva, taking the total to four across the country. While GIMS will go ahead as planned, it’s worth noting that the organizers of Geneva’s international expo of fine watches decided on Thursday to cancel the event in April over coronavirus fears.

Update #4:  Following the first reported coronavirus case in Switzerland, the Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS) Foundation met to re-evaluate the situation.  They’ve decided to go ahead with the show, but noted they will “continue to monitor and reassess the situation regularly.”

Update #5: AIWAYS has announced the coronavirus has impacted their plan to ship the U6ion crossover coupe concept to Geneva.  Since it won’t arrive in time for the press conference, the model will be presented via “alternative means.”

 The coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, has already caused the cancellation of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and the postponement of the Beijing Auto Show.

As the virus continues to spread, organizers are faced with the difficult question of whether or not to proceed with high-profile events. This puts them in a tough position as they have to weigh public safety as well as the impacts that come with cancelling an event.

There’s already talk of potentially canceling or postponing the 2020 Olympics, but we’re more concerned about the upcoming 2020 Geneva International Motor Show (or GIMS for short). As of right now, the event is still scheduled to take place but a definitive decision needs to be made soon.

Earlier this morning, Automotive News’ Nick Gibbs tweeted that he heard the show’s organizers could be preparing an announcement confirming whether or not the show will take place. We’ve reached out for more information, but a spokesperson told Forbes “It’s going ahead as planned.”

That being said, the site where the Geneva Motor Show takes place, released a statement saying they’re “carefully observing the situation and its possible implications for exhibitors, visitors, partners and employees in view of the upcoming events in the Palexpo halls.” Palexpo SA added they are in “regular contact with the General Directorate of Health of the Republic and Canton of Geneva and its medical advisor to develop an action plan, adjustable in real time.”

Also Read: Geneva Motor Show Says Visitors And Staff With Coronavirus Symptoms Need To Stay Away

As we reported yesterday, Palexpo SA has enhanced their cleaning and disinfection program as well as asked exhibitors from at-risk areas not to travel to Switzerland unless they have been symptom free for two weeks. Furthermore, they suggested people clean their hands with alcohol-based solutions, stay at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from people that appear sick and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth.

There are reasons to be concerned

While that’s good advice, GlobalData’s David Leggett said the warning draws “attention to the rising level of risk as the crisis spreads in Europe.” This has become clear as there have been new cases reported in Austria, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece and Spain. This is on top of previous cases discovered in Italy and Switzerland as well as elsewhere in the world. Legget added that, ““this public health crisis is fast-moving and the authorities in Switzerland could yet decide that the risks are too great in allowing such a large show – with many international exhibitors and attendees – to take place.”

The decision not to postpone or cancel the 2020 GIMS is curious as the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva, which also takes place at Palexpo, has been pushed back from March to September. They noted this was “Due to the epidemic of coronavirus striking in Asia, a very important actor of the Exhibition with a strong presence of inventions from China and Hong Kong.”

Of course, the fear with events such as the Geneva Motor Show is that infected people will attend and spread the coronavirus to others. That’s a real possibility and it’s alarming as a number of journalists and exhibitors are flying in for the event and then returning home shortly thereafter. This has the potential to spread Covid-19 far and wide.

The fears have caused a number of people in the automotive industry to reveal they won’t be attending the show.  However, some appear more concerned about being stuck in quarantine rather than catching the coronavirus.

Researchers are becoming increasingly alarmed by the spread of the coronavirus and, yesterday, the CDC’s Dr. Nancy Messonnier said “We expect we will see community spread in this country [the United States]. It’s not so much a question of if this will happen anymore, but rather more a question of exactly when this will happen and how many people in this country will have severe illness.” The CDC also warned it is time for businesses, communities and hospitals to begin preparing for the possible spread of Covid-19.