By Jeff Henson

AWG

2020 Arctic Winter Games cancelled over Coronavirus concerns

Mar 8, 2020 | 7:15 AM

Athletes from Grande Prairie and other Peace region communities that qualified for this year’s Arctic Winter Games will not be heading to Whitehorse after all.

Concerns over the Coronavirus have led organizers to cancel the games, which were set to begin next week in the Yukon capital.

There are no current cases of the COVID-19 virus in Yukon and the risk of infection is considered low.

But the host committee says it made the decision on the recommendation of Yukon’s acting chief medical officer of health.

They add cancelling the games, which celebrate northern sports and culture from around the circumpolar world, was the most responsible precautionary measure.

(with files from the Canadian Press)