The news Vancouver Island MusicFest executive producer Doug Cox was expecting came down Saturday morning.

At her April 18 COVID-19 update, B.C.91裸聊视频檚 provincial health officer announced the social restrictions in place would not be lifted in time for any large-scale events this summer.

91裸聊视频淩ealistically, we will not be having those big events where people gather together this summer,91裸聊视频� Dr. Bonnie Henry said during a news conference. 91裸聊视频淭his is a challenging time around our world and it91裸聊视频檚 not going to be easy for us to get out of it, but those types of large, mass-gatherings where we have lots of people together, this is not the time for that.91裸聊视频�

And with that, Cox turned to Plan B.

91裸聊视频淔or the last month or so, we91裸聊视频檝e been preparing two plans - one for the festival to go as scheduled (July 10-12), and one in case of cancellation,91裸聊视频� he said.

So, what is Plan B?

91裸聊视频淣ow that we have cancelled the festival, we have to deal with the fallout from all that - dealing with the ticket-buyers, all the suppliers, sponsors, cancelling all the performers,91裸聊视频� said Cox.

As for ticket-holders, Cox said there will be an announcement forthcoming.

91裸聊视频淲e will be sending out an announcement in the next few days.91裸聊视频�

Apart from the logistical challenge MusicFest management faces in the days and weeks ahead, Cox said the toughest thing is simply accepting the reality of the situation.

91裸聊视频淲e are devastated,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淥ur biggest thrill for so many of the staff that put on the festival are those set-up days, when people are at the site, watching everybody arrive, watching the team come together to build the 91裸聊视频榯own91裸聊视频� of MusicFest. So many people look forward to that all year. Aside from the music and the financial impact and all of that stuff, that91裸聊视频檚 the heartbreaking part, is to know we are not going to have that celebration this year.91裸聊视频�

Cox added that even before the government intervention, it was becoming clear in the past few weeks that this year91裸聊视频檚 event would not be possible.

91裸聊视频淲hen you look at our own responsibility when it comes to the health of our patrons and our volunteers - we have a kids91裸聊视频� area, we have a kitchen that feeds 2,000 people a day, we have a campground of 4,000 people, we have people travelling from all over the world to get here - it91裸聊视频檚 just impossible,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t would simply be the wrong decision for us to proceed with the festival this year.91裸聊视频�

Although Henry made the announcement at her daily briefing Saturday, there has yet to be an official directive from the government, regarding the process to be followed for such events.

While Cox expects to hear of a relief program set up through the federal government to ease the financial burden of such a cancellation, he appreciates that91裸聊视频檚 not a top priority for the government, at the moment.

91裸聊视频淩eally, this is tough, but there are no sour grapes,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚 am so proud to be a Canadian, in terms of how our government has tried very hard to support everyone.91裸聊视频�

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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