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San Diego schools, events change plans over coronavirus

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Posted at 3:40 PM, Mar 10, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-11 20:08:44-04

SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Several events and school systems in San Diego have had their immediate schedules altered due to the coronavirus.

Several conferences set to take place in San Diego have canceled or rescheduled, while others don't have immediately plans to alter their plans.

Schools systems are also preparing for the possibility of changing schedules and continuing the school year amid coronavirus worries.

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Here's a look at what events and schools have changed their schedules due to COVID-19 worries and what we're monitoring:

(We'll update this list as soon as more information is available.)

Events:

  • The 34th National Institute on White Collar Crime has canceled its planned March 11-13 conference at Marriott Marquis San Diego, citing coronavirus fears. On its website, organizers with the American Bar Association (ABA) said the decision to cancel was made "as a result of the large number of speakers and attendees who were compelled to cancel their participation due to travel restrictions put in place by employers." The institute will not be rescheduled, according to ABA. The organization said refunds are being processed to attendees, but any travel reservations made will have to be handled individually.
  • Leaders of the Experimental Biology conference set to take place April 4-7 canceled the massive gathering over COVID-19 as well. The conference expected more than 12,000 attendees at the San Diego Convention Center.
  • The 2020 CIE Summit business technology summit at Marriott Marquis San Diego has been rescheduled from March 18-20 to Aug. 12-14 "out of an abundance of caution," organizers say.
  • Organizers with the Future of Individualized Medicine 2020, scheduled for March 12-13 at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, also canceled their event "based on concern for the health of our registrants, speakers, exhibitors and staff."
  • The American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting set for April 24-29 has been canceled. A reschedule of the meeting is being planned for later this year.
  • San Diego Opera's several performances of "Aging Magician" at the Balboa Theatre has been canceled after several performers opted not to travel due to the coronavirus. The San Diego Opera remains open though, with performances of "The Barber of Seville" and "The Falling and the Rising" still set for April and May.
  • The 2020 GranFondo San Diego cyclist race, scheduled for April 5, has been postponed out of an abundance of caution for riders. Race organizers are working to determine when best to reschedule the event.
  • The remainder of the San Diego Science and Engineering Festival has been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Organizers plan to reschedule the events for Fall 2020.
  • San Diego Loyal soccer has postponed the team's home opener on March 14 until July 29 due to coronavirus concerns and in accordance with USD's decision to limit campus events on the same weekend, the team said.

Schools:

  • University of California San Diego will begin to deliver all lecture and discussion courses remotely starting in the spring quarter. All university-sponsored athletic events are scheduled to continue but will be "fan-less." The university also asked students and staff to postponed or cancel all events or meetings expected to have more than 100 people.
  • San Diego State University will move all classes to virtual instruction following spring break, from April 6 through the end of the spring semester, with certain exceptions. SDSU will also suspend all spring break and summer study abroad programs. The university, however, is not suspending third-party partner programs abroad, citing authority.
  • Southwestern College in the South Bay is moving all of its in-person classes to online or distributed instruction from March 16-20. In addition to canceling “large public events” at its main campus and satellite campuses, SWC’s athletic events will go on but will not have fans.
  • UC San Diego Athletics's home events from March 13-15 will be closed to non-essential personnel. UC San Diego has a home women's water polo match on Friday night, and home baseball games Friday through Sunday.

Being monitored:

  • The California State University is asking staff to prepare to alter their courses in case of a campus interruption due to the coronavirus. If needed, campuses could be asked to stop in-person instruction for two to four days while faculty members finalize a plan to continue courses remotely. Staff would continue to come to campus to maintain operations.
  • Comic-Con International, scheduled for July 22-26, said it plans to continue with its planned convention in July at this time. Organizers also said WonderCon in Anaheim will continue, currently scheduled for April 10-12.
  • The Del Mar Fairgrounds says it is taking proactive steps in light of the coronavirus outbreak, but the venue does not have plans at this time to cancel any planned events.
  • The California Center for the Arts, Escondido says it will continue with its list of scheduled events in accordance with CDC policies and guidance, including heightened disinfection and proactive measures around the center.
  • The 40th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival scheduled for Balboa Park will continue as planned on March 14.