ACM Awards still plan for show at MGM Grand Garden

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Academy of Country Music said its April 5 awards show will still go on at the MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas, but officials are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus.

The show announced Wednesday that host and reigning ACM entertainer of the year, Keith Urban will perform on the show, airing live on CBS, as well as nominee Miranda Lambert with Lindsay Ell, Caylee Hammack, Elle King, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes.

“We are closely monitoring the situation along with the MGM team, who are in continuous contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Southern Nevada Health District, and other agencies and experts for guidance. We will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our artists, staff, crew, guests and attendees,” the ACM said in a statement.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.

The vast majority of people recover from the new virus. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover. In mainland China, where the virus first exploded, more than 80,000 people have been diagnosed and more than 58,000 have so far recovered.”

The ACM organization is based in Encino, a neighborhood of Los Angeles, and the California governor has been urging the state’s residents to avoid large gatherings to prevent the spread of the virus. Nevada has only had a small number of confirmed cases.

The South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, was cancelled over concerns of spreading the coronavirus, and the California-based music festivals Coachella and the country-themed Stagecoach are being postponed until the fall.