It’s bad news for the likes of Big Pineapple Festival and Splendour in the Grass who postponed their festivals for later this year, as new reports claim that there won’t be any festivals until there’s a coronavirus vaccine.
According to Australia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Brendan Murphy, festivals and nightclubs would likely be some of the last social activities to return, even as states begin to gradually ease restrictions.
Speaking in a briefing to New Zealand politicians in Canberra, Murphy said it will remain impossible to know the virus has been eradicated completely until there is a vaccine for COVID-19.
“Unless you’re absolutely, completely confident about your borders, your testing, your surveillance, you can’t relax a measure of distancing,” explained Murphy. “We certainly would not be contemplating large-scale gatherings. It’s hard for me to envisage reopening of nightclubs and big music festivals in the foreseeable future.”
This follows the previous announcement from health experts in the US who said that gigs may not return until late 2021 because of the impact of the crisis on the US.
The news comes despite the recent changes in restrictions with Western Australia allowing groups of 10 to gather, and NSW allowing residents to have two mates over at any one time.
Sorry festival lovers, looks like we’re in for a wait.
Photo via Splendour in the Grass socials, by Bianca Holderness
