National Geographic is working on an alternative online format for the March 27 state-level competitions.

WASHINGTON — The National Geographic Society has announced the cancellation of its in-person state-level GeoBee competitions scheduled for March 27, due to concerns about the COVID-19 coronavirus.

The cancellations include the Minnesota state GeoBee competition, planned for Metropolitan State University this year.

"We are doing this out of an abundance of caution regarding COVID-19, and in order to prioritize the health and safety of everyone who attends our events," National Geographic said in a statement on the GeoBee website. "We are committed to ensuring that this year’s state GeoBee qualifiers have a safe and fair opportunity to compete that is consistent across the country."

In place of the in-person state championships, National Geographic is developing an online-based competition for students who qualified for their state GeoBees.

"National Geographic Society will offer the opportunity for State GeoBee qualifiers to take an online test on March 27 that is administered and proctored by the school GeoBee coordinator or another paid school employee," National Geographic said.

Traditionally, annual GeoBee competitions are held at three levels: school, state, and national. Each school names a champion, who takes a qualifying test for the state competition. State champions are invited to the national finals.