Dozens of bun scrambling hopefuls have just seen their dreams crumble like so many stale bao: the annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival has just become the latest event to be canceled amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The event on the former fishing island attracts thousands of people every year to, among other things, watch the annual bun scrambling competition, in which competitors scale a 14-meter tower covered in steamed buns while trying to grab as many as they can in a bid to be named “King of the Buns.” (Check out our recap of last year’s madness here.)
This year’s festival was due to take place from April 27 to May 1.
On Monday night, however, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced that the organizing committee for the event has decided to cancel the event in order to reduce social contact and reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19.
The festival is just the latest in a long string of events that have been canceled or rescheduled, first because of last year’s months-long pro-democracy protests, and more recently because of the coronavirus outbreak.
Last week, it was announced that Marilyn Manson’s first ever Hong Kong performance, due to take place in March, would be canceled. Hong Kong’s highest-profile sporting (and drinking) event of the year, the Rugby Sevens, announced it would be postponed until October due to the coronavirus. Meanwhile, Art Basel has called off its annual Hong Kong fair, and the Hong Kong Arts Festival cancelled its 48th outing.
Last night, health officials confirmed that the total number of coronavirus cases in the city now stands at 101, with the latest case being a 63-year-old man from Tai Hang.
The Centre for Health Protection confirmed that he’s the older brother of case 85 — the Jockey Club member from Tai Hang whose dog also tested “weak positive” last week — and had attended his daughter’s wedding banquet, which was also attended by case 85.
