Lunar New Year Celebration In Annapolis Canceled Over Virus

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Lunar New Year celebration hosted by World Artists Experiences at Maryland Hall in Annapolis has been canceled out of "extreme caution" regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus. The event, scheduled for Jan. 28 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. would have featured interactive demonstrations such as magic, finger painting, sugar painting, printmaking, shadow puppetry, dough modeling and diabolo.

There also would have been a short film about the Chinese New Year, folk music, ethnic dances, aerobics and martial arts. The Chinese New Year celebration was to have been presented by World Artists Experiences in partnership with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, the Shenzhen Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Tourism, Radio and Television, and the Remnin University High School Arts Program.

The Capital Gazette shared that World Artists Experiences communicated with several government health organizations and the Embassy of China before deciding to cancel.

“We are disappointed. The Chinese New Year Celebration has been a favorite Annapolis event in the past — with many children attending and being exposed to Chinese crafts and culture," wrote David C. Mitchell, publicity and marketing team chair for the Anne Arundel-based nonprofit arts group.

On Saturday, an ill passenger aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 2889 that arrived at the Baltimore-Washington International Airport was met by medical personnel taking precautionary measures for fear that the passenger was infected with novel coronavirus. The passenger in question had recently traveled from Beijing, China, and was experiencing flu-like symptoms, WJLA reported. However, the Maryland Health Department said after the passenger had been evaluated Saturday that the patient's symptoms did not meet the Centers for Disease Control's criteria for novel coronavirus testing.

As of Jan. 26, four cases of the deadly illness have been confirmed in the United States and possible cases are being investigated in several states, including three in Virginia. The death toll in China from the virus has risen to 56. As of Sunday afternoon, four U.S. cases have been confirmed in Chicago, Washington state and two in southern California.

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