IMF, World Bank: April meetings to be held in "virtual format" due to coronavirus epidemic

The IMF and World Bank said on Tuesday that the spring gathering of finance ministers and central bankers held in Washington in April will be shifted to a "virtual format" due to the coronavirus epidemic that has spread to more than 70 countries.

The biennial meetings of the development lending institutions attract thousands of officials and private sector participants from 180 member countries -- just the kind of gathering health authorities say should be avoided.

In a joint statement, IMF chief Kristalina Georgieva and World Bank President David Malpass said that "given growing health concerns related to the virus," they will switch "to a virtual format" for the meetings set for April 16-18.