Smart Mobility Showcase canceled

Another spring festival bites the dust: Austin Transportation’s Smart Mobility Showcase, which was scheduled for March 13-17, has been called off due to increasing concerns about the transmission of COVID-19. The city has declared a local state of disaster ahead of the spring festival season and released an announcement explaining its decision. Regional leaders have banned public events of 2,500 or more people, which includes “concerts, festivals, conferences, worship services, and sporting events,” unless, the city says, “organizers are able to assure Austin Public Health that mitigation plans for infectious diseases are in place.” Events will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Special events of fewer than 2,500 people are not subject to the new guidelines at this time.