Riverside County cancels Coachella & Stagecoach music festivals for 2020
The Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals have been officially canceled for 2020.
The two festivals were originally set to be held in April but were later postponed to October 2020.
Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Cameron Kaiser signed the order canceling the popular festivals citing concerns over a possible autumn resurgence of coronavirus.
“I am concerned as indications grow that COVID-19 could worsen in the fall,” said Kaiser. “In addition, events like Coachella and Stagecoach would fall under Governor Newsom’s Stage 4, which he has previously stated would require treatments or a vaccine to enter. Given the projected circumstances and potential, I would not be comfortable moving forward.
“These decisions are not taken lightly with the knowledge that many people will be impacted. My first priority is the health of the community,” Kaiser added.
The county confirmed officials have been in contact with Goldenvoice, the company that operates both festivals.
No word on what the plans are for 2021, including if the same line-up will return or if there are plans for a limited capacity return in April, as Billboard reported on Tuesday.
There has also been no word on what this means those with 2020 passes. Billboard reported that 40% of people requested refunds.
We have reached to Goldenvoice for further comment.
The original postponement of the valley's festival season brought a huge hit to the local economy, to the tune of about $700 million, according to the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership.
A spokesperson for Indio, host city of the festivals, sent a statement regarding the cancellation announcement.
"While the festivals are a part of our City’s identity, and a source of revenue and joy for many people, holding them prematurely would be of great consequence. We appreciate the significant efforts of public health officials and Goldenvoice to weigh all these factors when making the difficult decision to cancel the festivals in 2020. We look forward to the time we can gather together in the spirit in which the festivals are intended to be held."
- Brooke Beare, director of communications & marketing for the city of Indio.
Riverside County currently has 9,911 coronavirus cases, with 5,563 recoveries, and 572 deaths.
Indio has the most cases in the Coachella Valley with 640.
Visit KESQ.com/Coronavirus for the latest local updates
Over the past couple of days, the county has seen increases of at least 300 cases per day. Hospitalization rates across the county remain stable, according to county officials, but last week, Eisenhower Health reported an increase in positive cases.
Read: Eisenhower Health reports recent increase in positive coronavirus test results
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