In the wake of various U.S. festivals and tours being postponed over growing concerns about the novel coronavirus, Ottawa's RBC Bluesfest has issued a statement updating festivalgoers about the 2020 event and its current status.
With the festival set to take place at LeBreton Flats Park from July 9 to 19, organizers for the Ottawa event tell festivalgoers that the event is still currently scheduled to take place as planned, explaining that they are already making preparations in the wake of the COVID-19 virus.
"The health and safety of our community is paramount," a press release from the festival states. "RBC Bluesfest is closely monitoring the situation and will carefully follow the recommendation of public health experts. At this time, RBC Bluesfest preparations are continuing as planned, in order to stage the event from July 9th to 19th, 2020."
Bluesfest organizers go on to explain that Ottawa and Ontario public health officials have advised them that the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low. That said, the festival is currently reviewing its health and safety protocols to ensure it is adopting best practices.
"We all have a role to play to reduce the risk of COVID-19 virus transmission," the press release states.
You can keep an eye on the status of COVID-19 cases in Ontario here. As previously reported, the 2020 RBC Bluesfest is set to feature Rage Against the Machine, Jack Johnson, Blink-182, Alanis Morissette, Daniel Caesar and the National, among others.
So far, no Canadian festivals have been either postponed or cancelled due to fears about the coronavirus. However, Pearl Jam just postponed their entire North American tour, including their Canadian dates, due to the virus.
SXSW also announced its cancellation, and Miami's Ultra Music Festival was called off. There are also growing fears that California's Coachella may be postponed as well.
With the festival set to take place at LeBreton Flats Park from July 9 to 19, organizers for the Ottawa event tell festivalgoers that the event is still currently scheduled to take place as planned, explaining that they are already making preparations in the wake of the COVID-19 virus.
"The health and safety of our community is paramount," a press release from the festival states. "RBC Bluesfest is closely monitoring the situation and will carefully follow the recommendation of public health experts. At this time, RBC Bluesfest preparations are continuing as planned, in order to stage the event from July 9th to 19th, 2020."
Bluesfest organizers go on to explain that Ottawa and Ontario public health officials have advised them that the risk of contracting COVID-19 remains low. That said, the festival is currently reviewing its health and safety protocols to ensure it is adopting best practices.
"We all have a role to play to reduce the risk of COVID-19 virus transmission," the press release states.
You can keep an eye on the status of COVID-19 cases in Ontario here. As previously reported, the 2020 RBC Bluesfest is set to feature Rage Against the Machine, Jack Johnson, Blink-182, Alanis Morissette, Daniel Caesar and the National, among others.
So far, no Canadian festivals have been either postponed or cancelled due to fears about the coronavirus. However, Pearl Jam just postponed their entire North American tour, including their Canadian dates, due to the virus.
SXSW also announced its cancellation, and Miami's Ultra Music Festival was called off. There are also growing fears that California's Coachella may be postponed as well.