Due to the ongoing outbreak of deadly coronavirus in China, Blizzard is cancelling all Overwatch League matches and other eSports events in the country through March. The developer has attracted a lot of well-deserved outrage over its dealings in China in recent months, but this particular decision is unarguably the correct one.

World governments have been fighting hard to slow the ongoing spread of coronavirus transmission after a deadly strain of the disease emerged in Wuhan, China. The malady has infected nearly 8,000 patients in China, alone, and the death toll there has climbed to almost 200 in only a few short weeks. Tens of millions of Chinese residents have been placed on lockdown as a public safety measure while health professionals treat existing cases and research how to prevent future ones, so Blizzard's decision to temporarily suspend eSports matches in the highly affected nation makes a lot of sense. Fans have good reason to still be unhappy with the company's mistreatment of pro Hearthstone player Blitzchung and the completely botched release of Warcraft 3: Reforged, but at least Blizzard's putting public health first.

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Last night, Blizzard's official Overwatch League account released the below statement on Twitter, announcing that all of the league's matches scheduled to be played in China through March will be postponed until further notice. The statement explains this choice was made in order to "protect the health and safety of our players, fans, and staff," reassuring all affected parties that Blizzard remains "incredibly excited to play Overwatch League matches in China later this season" and thanking them for their patience. Assuredly due to the unpredictability of a contagion like coronavirus, as well as that of the Chinese autocracy, the canceled matches will be rescheduled and/or relocated "at a later date."

When battling a disease as virulent as this coronavirus strain - which has now been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization - the most effective means of prevention is to mitigate person-to-person transmission, so Blizzard is absolutely doing the right thing by temporarily cancelling its eSports events in China. Parent company Activision Blizzard has been making moves to grow its eSports and streaming arms, and it wouldn't be very smart financially, ethically, or morally to potentially jeopardize the health of players or in-person spectators in the name of a few events. Blizzard's current public image is already dismal enough, so it's refreshing to see the company make the best decision for everyone for a change.

The dozens of coronavirus deaths worldwide have started 2020 on a tragic note, and health officials have a steep uphill battle to fight before this strain of coronavirus can be effectively eradicated. Hopefully by the time Overwatch 2 releases, the effects of coronavirus and these cancelled Overwatch League events will be a distant memory.

Next: Blizzard Confirms No Overwatch Hero Bans In Next Update

Source: Twitter