Coachella 2020: Is It Still Happening?

Is Coachella 2020 still happening? Amidst the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, people are advised to stay away from big crowds.

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Upon publication, there have been over 100 confirmed coronavirus cases in California adding to a total of over 1,000 cases in the United States. At least 31 patients have died, and more are under intensive care and quarantine in medical facilities.

The novel coronavirus is an acute respiratory illness that can be spread through droplets, saliva or other substances secreted by the body, of an infected person. Person to person infection happens when viral droplets are inhaled or ingested and enters the respiratory system.

Concert-goers expressed their doubts about going to the biggest music and arts festival of the year, Coachella, which was scheduled for two weekends this coming April in Indio, California.

Coachella 2020: Is It Still Happening?

With the festival being sold out, they are expecting 125,000 guests over the two-weekend event.

The event that was supposed to take place on April 10 to 12 and April 17 to 19 is now rescheduled six months later, with a tentative date on the weekends of October, Oct. 9 to 11 and Oct. 16 to 18.

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— Coachella (@coachella) March 10, 2020

Goldenvoice officially announced the postponement on a tweeted statement: “At the direction of the County of Riverside and local health authorities, we must sadly confirm the rescheduling of Coachella and Stagecoach due to COVID-19 concerns.”

The statement emphasized the priorities of safety above everything else, “While this decision comes at a time of universal uncertainty, we take the safety and health of our guests, staff, and community very seriously. We urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials.”

Coachella 2020 is just one of the many cultural events affected by the breakout of COVID-19. Other events that were postponed due to the virus include the 2022 World Cup FIFA Qualifiers and Ultra Music Festival. Coachella 2020 barely avoided total cancellation.

The 2020 lineup for Coachella includes Travis Scott, Daniel Caesar, Frank Ocean, DaBaby, Rage Against the Machine, Lana del Rey, and many more beloved artists.

Coachella 2020 Lineup

With the event being moved to October, no one knows how that affects the current lineup.

According to Coachella organizers, information regarding refunds will be available by Friday, March 13.

Coronavirus Cases in Coachella Valley

Last Monday, three additional cases tested positive for the disease in Riverside County, bringing in a total of six cases in the county. The Riverside University Health System-Public Health confirmed that the three persons who tested positive for the coronavirus are Coachella Valley residents.

All six cases are believed to have either traveled to a place with a coronavirus outbreak in the last 14 days or have had close contact with infected persons.

City leaders of Riverside County are reassuring residents that the federal government is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Riverside County Department of Public Health to contain the disease outbreak and provide medical assistance.

The World Health Organization issued a Public Health Emergency of International Concern last January 30 as more and more cases are confirmed all over the globe. Basic preventative hygiene measures are highly encouraged including washing hands with soap and water to stop the virus from spreading person to person.

Coachella Valley is the music and arts capital of California. With the rising numbers of coronavirus patients and the fear of community spread, organizers have decided to cancel two of the biggest music festivals in the valley: Coachella and Stagecoach.

Brooke Beare, the director of communications and marketing for the city of Indio, says that “ultimately it’s the public health officers driving the conversation.”

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Coachella Valley Cautions Against Coronavirus

With the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, Riverside County local government units have cautioned the general public against going into crowded places. Self-quarantine is highly encouraged among those with flu symptoms, as well as getting medical assistance from nearby health facilities.

There are basic hygiene measures on the CDC website that can be done in order to stop the spread of the disease and lessen the risk of infection:

• Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to public places. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick or have flu-like symptoms. This is especially important for children and the elderly who have weaker immune systems.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily, including tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• Practice home quarantine and avoid going out in public as much as possible to lessen the risk of community spread.

Though big events such as Coachella surely impact the local and national economy with an estimated $403 million, its cancellation in the face of a global epidemic is a must.

Organizers and the local government of Indio, California all agree that public health safety should be prioritized above all else.