South Korean tech firm LG has pulled out of Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, citing fears over the spread of coronavirus.
LG announced its decision not to participate at Mobile World Congress, one of the world's biggest tech shows held annually in Barcelona, due to concerns over the coronavirus outbreak.
MWC, the world's largest mobile-focused tech expo, is scheduled to open on February 24. Prior to LG's announcement, the GSM Association (GSMA), MWC's organizers, released a statement on the coronavirus saying: "There is minimal impact on the event thus far".
LG made public its decision to pull out from the event several hours after GSMA said this. Chinese firm ZTE has also canceled plans for a press conference at the event due to the virus but it will still host a stand.
In a statement, LG said: "With the safety of its employees and general public foremost in mind, LG has decided to withdraw from exhibiting and participating in MWC 2020 later this month in Barcelona, Spain."
"This decision will prevent needlessly exposing hundreds of LG employees to international travel, which most health experts have advised," the statement pointed out. The tech firm assured that it would hold "separate events in the near future" instead.
Simon Forrest, tech analyst at Futuresource, said: "You have to say it's probably an entirely sensible response given the situation." There is currently one confirmed case of coronavirus in Spain.
A GSMA spokeswoman said: "We have spoken to LG and regret not seeing them at this year's MWC20 Barcelona." She mentioned that MWC was still proceed as planned.
The GSMA has previously assured that it had taken additional precautionary measures for this year's conference. These include implementing a "no-handshake policy", increased cleaning and disinfection, and providing more sanitizing materials for public use.
Forrest, who plans to attend the event himself, said: "They have to be taking this seriously."
