Regarding the COVID-19 and Nominoichi XV

[StarDustFragments]

No one is talking about the 'pink elephant' in the room, so here I go. So with the novel coronavirus: COVID-19 now declared as “public health emergency of international concern” by the WHO and multiple cases in the city of Toronto, I'm very curious as to if NomiXV and AN2020 in general will still happen or not.

Obviously, a large amount of people are still planning to go including myself and a group of friends, BUT at this point the health of too many people may be at risk. The well-being all attendees, guests, exhibitors, and staff alike are top priority.

What is AN organizers stand on this particular moment in time? As there is no public statement or article regarding the subject. And if the event still goes as planned (I certainly hope the event goes on as planned, as I am really looking forward for Nomi) what health measures will be imposed to mitigate the spread of disease (like hand sanitizer, providing gloves [as we handle cash at Nomi], etc.)? I'm just a concerned citizen #stopcovspread 

[ajthecollector]

Anime North still happened when people were saying SARS was going to kill us all back in 2003 or whenever it was, and SARS killed more people in Toronto that year than the number of people around here who've even caught the coronavirus. I'm sure they're not going to cancel AN over something very few people in Ontario, let alone Canada, have actually caught.

My worry is that this might all affect whether the guests can actually make it here... :c Of course, even in China, the virus is starting to slowly lose steam, and I really feel that by late May, it'll be pretty much entirely contained, plus it'll be getting warm enough by then that the virus might simply begin dying--apparently it can't survive in air warmer than 25 degrees C.

[folsensory]

It’s certainly concerning after hearing everything in the media about convention/sports/concert cancellations, but it’s important to remember that this is only happening as a precaution. There’s still plenty of time until AN, & only time will tell. The decreasing trends as mentioned above is reassuring to me at least. The best thing to do is make good decisions for your own health & keep your hygiene as a priority - which of course applies to now & during the con!!

[The Chris McKenna]

Anime North will be releasing a statement about this situation on the website soon.
The short answer is: there will be a Nominoichi at Anime North.

I’ve almost finished the new 2020 information and that should also be posted soon.

Finally, I’m going to lock this thread because it’s not specifically about the Nominoichi, and therefore this is not the best place to have this discussion.


EDIT:
The official Anime North statement is now online:
www.animenorth.com/event/index.php/news/104-statement-regarding-coronavirus

[The Chris McKenna]

I should add that, because of the cancellation of Anime North 2020, the Nominoichi has also been canceled this year.

Both Anime North and the Nominoichi will return in 2021.

We hope you stay safe and we are looking forward to seeing everyone next year.

... and thanks for your interest in the Nominoichi.