The coronavirus health crisis has led to a swathe of networking events for the property sector in Hong Kong being cancelled by the China Real Estate Chamber of Commerce.
Among meetings hit by the continuing spread of the deadly illness are Cushman and Wakefield’s monthly sharing luncheon, Yardi Presents: The Gurus breakfast, and WorkTech Presents: First Friday Drink.
The events were scheduled to take place in the coming days in hotels and bars located in the densely populated city-state.
Organisers at the Hong Kong and International chapter of the chamber of commerce (CRECCHKI), announced the events will not go ahead due to the risk of contagion. Future events are at risk of being postponed should the situation continue.
‘In view of the recent coronavirus in Hong Kong, the monthly sharing luncheon on February 7, 2020, Friday at 12:30pm will be postponed,' read a statement about Cushman and Wakefield's luncheon.
‘We will announce our alternative arrangements for this event as soon as a new schedule is confirmed.
‘Thank you very much for your support to CRECCHKI and please accept our sincere apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.’
In a private message to members, CRECCHKI said the coronavirus outbreak was ‘yet another challenging time for us’ and provided hygiene advice to contain the spread of the disease.
The disruption to real estate networking in Hong Kong comes after the death toll from coronavirus in China soared to 491. Hong Kong announced visitors from the mainland are to be quarantined in a bid to prevent more cases. There are 21 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Hong Kong so far.
The outbreak is another blow to Hong Kong’s economy, which has been rocked by violent political protests for months.
