The Iditarod Trail Committee has decided to postpone several traditional events in Nome over concerns about the coronavirus.
Both the awards banquet and the Meet the Mushers event, which were scheduled for March 21-22, have been postponed.
The decision was made “in the best interest of public health” after consulting with Alaska’s chief medical officer, according to a release from the Iditarod.
Other elements of the race will continue, but will be limited to essential race personnel.
Nome City Manager Glenn Steckman said several things in the area are being canceled or closed, including the annual basketball tournament and craft fair.
Starting Saturday, all city facilities except for city hall will be closed until the end of March.
Steckman encouraged anyone feeling ill postpone travel to Nome.
In a press conference Thursday evening, state health officials confirmed Alaska’s first case of the coronavirus.
Officials called it a “presumptive positive” case and would be sending the test on to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
