The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's annual induction ceremony has been postponed over COVID-19 concerns.
This year's event was scheduled to take place May 2 in Cleveland, Ohio. There are only a handful of cases of the virus in Ohio, but Governor Mike DeWine earlier this week announced plans to order a limit on large gatherings.
The order will affect sporting events and concerts in the state, and it will include the Rock Hall.
"We are very disappointed to announce the postponement of this year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony," Rock Hall President Joel Peresman said in a statement. "Our first concern is to the health and safety of our attendees and artists and we are complying to the direction of the local and state authorities and common sense. We look forward to rescheduling the ceremony and will make that announcement at the earliest convenience.
The 2020 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions were to be the first ever to be broadcast live by HBO. Usually a heavily-edited version of the production airs about a month after the ceremony takes place.
This year's inductees include Depeche Mode, the Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, the Notorious B.I.G. and T. Rex.
Despite the State of Ohio's impending ban, the NCAA recently announced that its annual basketball tournaments will move forward without fans in attendance. The NBA suspended its season Wednesday night after two players on the Utah Jazz, all-stars Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell, tested positive for the virus.
The NHL announced Thursday that it, too, would suspend its season. The MLB and NFL are expected to follow suit with their upcoming events.
Photo: Getty Images