Coronavirus

CDC Calls For Gatherings Of 50 People Or More To Be Canceled

The agency is asking people not to hold large events to avoid spreading the coronavirus.

CDC Calls For Gatherings Of 50 People Or More To Be Canceled
John Antczak / AP
SMS

The CDC is advising that gatherings of 50 people or more in the U.S. be canceled, amid the growing coronavirus outbreak.

According to health officials, large events or gatherings, such as conferences, festivals and weddings, can contribute to the spread of the virus. The CDC is asking that these types of gatherings be canceled or postponed for the next eight weeks. However, this recommendation is not yet being applied to day-to-day operations such as schools and businesses.

This announcement comes as Europe is marked the new epicenter of the outbreak and as numerous countries restrict public gatherings or move into nationwide lockdowns.

Health officials in the U.S. ask that people practice social distancing and hand washing as much as possible as the confirmed case number climbs above 3,700, according to Johns Hopkins University.