The global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak has lead to the organisers of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) cancelling the event. 

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In a statement, the GSM Association (GSMA) has said it has become 'impossible' to go ahead with the show which usually sees some of the biggest names in the smartphone industry in attendance. 

"With due regard to the safe and healthy environment in Barcelona and the host country today, the GSMA has cancelled MWC Barcelona 2020 because the global concern regarding the coronavirus outbreak, travel concern and other circumstances, make it impossible for the GSMA to hold the event," John Hoffman, CEO GSMA Limited.

The news comes after some exhibitors announced they wouldn't be attending MWC because of fears over the virus which includes smartphone brand LG. ZTE had also said it would no longer be holding a press conference but they would still have a stand at the show (before it was cancelled). 

MWC was due to open on 24 February 2020 where we expected to see new smartphone releases as well as new smartphone technology showcased. More than 100,000 people usually attend the event which the GSMA says will return in 2021. 

It's not just tradeshows feeling the effects of the coronavirus either as Sony has said that the virus could affect their image sensor supply chain.