JEDDAH — The authorities have canceled "Jeddah Season" festival, which was scheduled for June and July, in the wake of coronavirus pandemic outbreak, state television reported on Thursday. The cancellation of a weeks-long entertainment and cultural festival in the Red Sea port city is as part of measures taken by the Kingdom to stem the spread of the COVID-19. "To all Jeddah residents, it's with feelings of deep sadness that we have had to take this tough decision. The spread of coronavirus is a battle we all must face around the globe, and it's with no hesitation that we are respecting all measures needed to meet the current health emergency," the organizers said in a statement. On Mar.4, the Red Sea International Film Festival (RSFF) announced the postponing of the most awaited film festival in the Kingdom, also as part of the precautionary measures taken in Saudi Arabia. A series of arts, culture and entertainment events is being postponed in the Kingdom since the coronavirus outbreak. Jeddah Season was one of the distinct seasonal programs taking place across the country this year as part of the "Saudi Seasons" initiative, a year-long series of events that aim to place Saudi Arabia firmly at the center of the global tourism map. More than 150 events took place across five key destinations within the city in last year edition.
