With fears about the coronavirus leading to the cancellation of concerts and events like the Junos and the Canadian Screen Awards, angst and concern are growing in Toronto and the GTA as COVID-19 continues to spread around the world.

So far, there’s only been a series of event cancellations in Toronto while some major public institutions where large numbers gather are staying the course for the time being.

For example, the Zac Brown Band has cancelled its March 15 performance at Scotiabank Arena, as part of a broader decision to cancel its spring tour. And earlier in the week, Pearl Jam postponed its March 18 Toronto show as it, too, put its North American tour on hold due to the coronavirus.

Canada Blooms announced Thursday evening it will be suspending its 2020 show, which was set to take place at the Enercare Centre from March 13 to 22 following the advice and direction of public health authorities. Also, organizers announced the cancellation of the Home Show — The Big One.

“In the 70-year history of the National Home Show and Toronto Home Shows, this is the first time we have had to suspend operations,” organizers said in a news release Thursday evening.

At the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the Green Living Show from March 13 to 15, has now been cancelled. Toronto Comicon from March 20 to 22 is still scheduled to proceed.

The Horseshoe Tavern’s website says live shows will continue, although it is “instituting additional precautionary health measures.”

The Queen Elizabeth Theatre on Princes’ Boulevard has announced the cancellation of four events, the March 12 performance by Valery Syutin, the March 16 performance by Blood Orange and Tei Shi, Chad Brownlee and Lauren Alana on March 26, and the Show Choir Canada 2020 Championships on April 4, although other performances are scheduled to proceed.

L’Atra Italia, a GTA-based Italian-Canadian social organization, announced its monthly film screening will proceed on March 12 at 8 p.m., but the dinner reception preceding it would be cancelled. The group noted there will be a one-seat separation between patrons as a “precautionary protocol” and urged those who have visited affected regions like Italy recently or are feeling ill to skip the event.

The National Ballet of Canada’s performance of Romeo and Juliet is slated to continue its run at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts until March 22. The ballet company said the centre is undertaking “enhanced diligence” in public areas and urging patrons to follow Toronto Public Health protocols.

The Canadian Screen Awards announced it was cancelling its March 29 gala on CBC as well as public events associated with Canadian Screen Week in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver after “a thorough review … and an assessment of the potential risk” to attendees.

Even before New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that Broadway productions would be halted until April 12, the decision by Mirvish Productions to continue live theatre performances of Hamilton has been the subject of some debate on Twitter, with people concerned by a statement on its website that performances “will proceed as scheduled.” Among them: GTA resident Catherine Lilly.

“I hope they (Mirvish) will honour a refund or at least a credit for a future production. We have tickets to see Hamilton at the end of March and obviously I’m very concerned being in a theatre, given the current situation. The NBA and now the NHL have pressed ‘pause’ on games, for public safety concerns,” Lilly told the Star.

In a statement posted on its website, Mirvish said it was closely monitoring reports about COVID-19 and in the meantime has relaxed its policies about ticket exchanges, credits and refunds.

The Gladstone Hotel struck a defiant note, announcing “as of March 12, we are not cancelling any planned events,” noting an art installation event called the Grow Op Exhibition will go ahead.

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The Aga Khan Museum said it will continue to operate as usual based on assurances from Ontario health officials that the risk of contracting the virus is low.

“March Break is an exciting time at the Museum, and we are preparing to welcome visitors of all ages. At the moment, we are operating normally with all exhibitions and programming moving forward as planned. We will continue to follow the advice and direction of public health officials, and make any adjustments as needed,” said spokesperson Kelly Frances.

The Star reached out to several organizations, including the Royal Ontario Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Ontario Science Centre but did not receive a response.