Coachella canceled over coronavirus concerns

Coachella announced that it's canceling its annual two-weekend music festival in an effort to contain the coronavirus outbreak.

"While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff, and community very seriously," the festival's promoter Goldenvoice said in a statement posted by the Coachella Twitter account. "We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials."

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Goldenvoice added that the festival would be postponed until October 2020, and that any purchases for the original dates would be honored for the rescheduled weekend. Goldenvoice will notify purchasers by March 13 about refunds.

The festival was to feature headliners like Rage Against the Machine, Travis Scott, and Frank Ocean. The Los Angeles Timesreports that the two weekends were estimated to draw in 250,000 to the Coachella Valley. Goldenvoice did not state whether the more than 150 acts who were supposed to perform during the original April dates will also reschedule.

Coachella's postponement follows a string of events canceled because of the novel coronavirus, which causes the respiratory illness known as COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control report 647 cases as of Tuesday, but other models suggest much higher numbers that aren't symptomatic yet. On March 6, South by Southwest canceled its Austin, Texas events. On Monday, Ireland canceled all Saint Patrick's Day parades. Both Democratic candidates Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden canceled their rallies in Cleveland on Tuesday night.

Coachella, at least, is hopeful that it'll return.

"Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in the desert this fall," Goldenvoice said in the statement.

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