Sony and Amazon pull out of major tech show amid coronavirus spread

Sony and Amazon are the latest major companies to pull out of one of the world's largest tech shows because of risks posed by coronavirus.

Sony said it would no longer take part in Mobile World Congress in Barcelona after "monitoring the evolving situation" after the coronavirus outbreak.

The organiser has said the event, which attracts 100,000 people, will go ahead.

But it admitted other companies are considering whether to attend, BBC News reports.

South Korea's LG Electronics, Ericsson, the Swedish telecoms equipment-maker, and US chip company NVIDIA have all withdrawn from the conference, which runs between 24 and 27 February.

The GSMA, which organises the show in the Spanish city, said that while it could "confirm some large exhibitors have decided not to come to the show this year with others still contemplating next steps, we remain more than 2,800 exhibitors strong".

However, it revealed that it had put in place additional measures to "reassure attendees and exhibitors that their health and safety are our paramount concern".