COVID-19: Penang Cancels Annual Bon Odori Festival

GEORGE TOWN (Penang, Malaysia) March 25 (Bernama) -- The Penang government has cancelled this year’s Bon Odori Festival on July 25 to curb the spread of COVID-19, said State Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin. He said in view of the severity of the COVID-19 situation, his office together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Penang, have made this difficult but necessary decision to cancel the Bon Odori Festival 2020. "We have to cancel the long-anticipated festival, as the health and well-being of our participants, visitors, artists and management are of utmost importance. We believe that we should take the necessary steps to safeguard everyone," he said in a statement here today. According to Yeoh, the Bon Odori Festival is celebrated culturally by the Japanese to commemorate the spirits of the ancestors. "We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and seek the understanding of everyone on this difficult decision. The health and safety of our people is our top priority," he said. -- BERNAMA