Live Nation Entertainment, the world’s largest concert promoter, has no plans to cancel any scheduled events in the Bay Area despite Mayor London Breed and the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s recommendations to cancel all non-essential group activities in an effort to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19 — the illness caused by the new coronavirus.

“Our Bay Area shows are still currently proceeding as planned,” said Monique Sowinski, the corporate media relations director for Live Nation, in a statement to The Chronicle on Monday, March 9. “We are aware of the precautionary measures announced by the San Francisco Department of Public Health and we are continuing to implement preventative measures as outlined by the CDC.”

Live Nation’s Northern California venues include the Fillmore, the Masonic, August Hall, Cobb’s Comedy Club, Punch Line, Shoreline Amphitheatre and Concord Pavilion.

The promoter also books events at Chase Center, Oakland Arena, Oracle Park, Levi’s Stadium and SAP Center, in addition to booking the BottleRock Napa Valley music festival.

Breed announced on Friday, March 6, that War Memorial and Performing Arts Center venues, including the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall, will be closed for all public events until March 20, canceling all scheduled performances by the San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Ballet during the blackout period.

San Francisco joined at other Bay Area counties — including San Mateo and Contra Costa — in advising sweeping restrictions on social interactions. The city recommended people over the age of 60 or with underlying health conditions stay home as much as possible and try to avoid gatherings of 50 people or more.

Aggressive social distancing measures are meant to mitigate, or slow down, the spread of a virus that’s believed to be circulating in the community but not yet widespread. Studies of earlier epidemics — in particular, the 1918 Spanish influenza — have found that keeping people apart can dramatically curtail the spread of disease and even save lives.

Live Nation said it is taking precautions of its own.

“We will also have extra hand sanitizer stations and signs reminding everyone to thoroughly wash their hands at our shows,” Sowinski added. “The safety of artists, fans and staff is our top priority and is planned for accordingly.”

But the decision to continue with live shows may not come entirely down to promoters.

By Monday evening, Santa Clara County announced a ban on events with more than 1,000 people. The county’s public health officer Sara Cody said in a news conference that she obtained a legal order to force shut down of events for three weeks beginning Wednesday, March 11.

“We anticipate many more cases as commercial laboratories come on line. The risk of exposure to the virus is increasing in Santa Clara County,” said Cody, noting that cases are up to 43 in the county — with 21 “likely spread from community transmission.”

In the past week, local officials canceled the Ultra Music festival in Miami, South by Southwest in Austin, and Emerald City Comic Con in Seattle, while dozens of other concerts worldwide have been scrapped or postponed.

Green Day has pulled its upcoming tour dates in Asia, while the Korean boy-band BTS also announced the cancellation of its four-night stand at Olympic Stadium in Seoul on April 11-12 and April 18-19. The group now plans to launch its stadium tour in support of its fourth studio album, “Map of the Soul: 7,” at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on April 25 and 26.

Another Planet Entertainment and Goldenvoice, the two other big concert promoters in the Bay Area, did not reply to requests for comment on their coronavirus plans in light of the city mandate.

Click here for The Chronicle’s Coronavirus Tracker and other updates about the outbreak. For more information about Bay Area event cancellations, click here.

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