Ahead of hosting their 49th edition in Saskatoon this weekend, the Juno Awards have cancelled all 2020 programming in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak being classified as a pandemic.
This morning, organizers confirmed the cancellation in a statement, which you can read in full below. They had planned to go ahead with the 2020 Juno Awards as late as yesterday (March 11), with health authorities noting earlier this week that a response strategy was in place. Now, however, Canada's biggest night in music is being called off.
"It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we collectively confirm the cancellation of the 49th Annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week activities in Saskatoon due to concerns surrounding COVID-19," the statement reads. "We are devastated to cancel this national celebration of music, but at this time of global uncertainty, the health, safety and well-being of all Canadians must stand at the forefront of any decisions that impact our communities."
The statement adds that the Junos and the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) will "continue to explore options to coordinate an alternative way to honour this year's JUNO Award winners and Special Award Recipients."
You can see the full list of 2020 Juno Awards nominees over here. Among the nominated artists for the 49th annual awards are Leonard Cohen, Jessie Reyez, NAV, Patrick Watson, PUP, City and Colour, Orville Peck, bülow, Alexandra Stréliski, Shawn Mendes, nêhiyawak and many more. Performers were to include Jann Arden, Lennon Stella, Daniel Caesar, the Glorious Sons and Tory Lanez.
Despite not having a confirmed case of COVID-19, the province of Saskatchewan has stated that "no one should attend a mass gathering" and has also encouraged "model social distancing (i.e. handshakes, hugs, kisses)" and "proper hand/cough hygiene."
For updates on COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, you can visit the government's provincial website. You can also get more information about the coronavirus in Canada here.
This morning, organizers confirmed the cancellation in a statement, which you can read in full below. They had planned to go ahead with the 2020 Juno Awards as late as yesterday (March 11), with health authorities noting earlier this week that a response strategy was in place. Now, however, Canada's biggest night in music is being called off.
"It is with an incredibly heavy heart that we collectively confirm the cancellation of the 49th Annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week activities in Saskatoon due to concerns surrounding COVID-19," the statement reads. "We are devastated to cancel this national celebration of music, but at this time of global uncertainty, the health, safety and well-being of all Canadians must stand at the forefront of any decisions that impact our communities."
The statement adds that the Junos and the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) will "continue to explore options to coordinate an alternative way to honour this year's JUNO Award winners and Special Award Recipients."
You can see the full list of 2020 Juno Awards nominees over here. Among the nominated artists for the 49th annual awards are Leonard Cohen, Jessie Reyez, NAV, Patrick Watson, PUP, City and Colour, Orville Peck, bülow, Alexandra Stréliski, Shawn Mendes, nêhiyawak and many more. Performers were to include Jann Arden, Lennon Stella, Daniel Caesar, the Glorious Sons and Tory Lanez.
Despite not having a confirmed case of COVID-19, the province of Saskatchewan has stated that "no one should attend a mass gathering" and has also encouraged "model social distancing (i.e. handshakes, hugs, kisses)" and "proper hand/cough hygiene."
For updates on COVID-19 in Saskatchewan, you can visit the government's provincial website. You can also get more information about the coronavirus in Canada here.