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

At her April 18 COVID-19 update, B.C.B次元官网网址檚 provincial health officer announced the social restrictions in place would not be lifted in time for any large-scale events this summer.

B次元官网网址淩ealistically, we will not be having those big events where people gather together this summer,B次元官网网址� Dr. Bonnie Henry said during a news conference. B次元官网网址淭his is a challenging time around our world and itB次元官网网址檚 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.B次元官网网址�

And with that, Cox turned to Plan B.

B次元官网网址淔or the last month or so, weB次元官网网址檝e been preparing two plans - one for the festival to go as scheduled (July 10-12), and one in case of cancellation,B次元官网网址� he said.

So, what is Plan B?

B次元官网网址淣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,B次元官网网址� said Cox.

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

B次元官网网址淲e will be sending out an announcement in the next few days.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淲e are devastated,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥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 B次元官网网址榯ownB次元官网网址� of MusicFest. So many people look forward to that all year. Aside from the music and the financial impact and all of that stuff, thatB次元官网网址檚 the heartbreaking part, is to know we are not going to have that celebration this year.B次元官网网址�

Cox added that even before the government intervention, it was becoming clear in the past few weeks that this yearB次元官网网址檚 event would not be possible.

B次元官网网址淲hen you look at our own responsibility when it comes to the health of our patrons and our volunteers - we have a kidsB次元官网网址� 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 - itB次元官网网址檚 just impossible,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t would simply be the wrong decision for us to proceed with the festival this year.B次元官网网址�

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 thatB次元官网网址檚 not a top priority for the government, at the moment.

B次元官网网址淩eally, this is tough, but there are no sour grapes,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 am so proud to be a Canadian, in terms of how our government has tried very hard to support everyone.B次元官网网址�

terry.farrell@blackpress.ca
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