Google has again altered plans for its annual Cloud Next event, this time postponing the digital version of the event until a later date. The move is tied to the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

In a blog post, Google Cloud CMO Alison Wagonfeld explained that the move was tied to health concerns for people that would still be involved with the production of a digital event. She also cited recent government decisions tied to the COVID-19 virus that limit the movement of people in some communities, including a “shelter in place” order that covers Google’s headquarters in Silicon Valley.

Wagonfeld did add that Google remains “fully committed to bringing Google Cloud Next ‘20: Digital Connect to life, but will hold the event when the timing is right.” That timing is to be determined at this point.

Google earlier this month initially changed the event, which was supposed to take place April 6-8 in San Francisco, to a “free, global, digital-first, multi-day event” that was to include online streaming of keynotes, breakout sessions, interactive learning sessions, and a question-and-answer feature with Google employees. There would not be any keynotes or sessions open to an audience, and the event was still scheduled to take place April 6-8.

A number of similar vendor events moved to follow that model, including Microsoft’s MVP Global Summit, Nvidia’s GTC 2020 event, the Red Hat Summit, and Dell Technologies World. Those events were all scheduled to take place at various points from late March through early May, but have since been impacted by the COVID-19 virus.

Other events taking place a bit later on the calendar are still scheduled to take place in a live environment, though most have noted that those conditions could change depending on the COVID-19 virus situation. However, Cisco has moved its annual Live event that is scheduled for late May to a digital format.

Photo Courtesy of Google.