This weekend's Maitland Taste festival has been cancelled due to coronavirus fears, Maitland City Council has confirmed.
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The decision to cancel the Saturday and Sunday event came after the Australian Government announced a suspension of non-essential gatherings of more than 500 people in a bid to minimise the spread of the virus.
The government's suspension does not come into effect until Monday, but council said in a statement the decision to cancel Taste "has been made in the best interest of the general public".
"Decisions on future events will be guided by Government recommendation," the statement said.
Former Masterchef winner Adam Liaw was set to appear at the festival as well as My Kitchen Rules champions Matt Gawthrop and Luke Stewart.
The upcoming Sydney Royal Easter Show has also been called off.
Saturday's Wine Machine festival at Roche Estate will still go ahead as planned.
Read more about the coronavirus here.
