With the WHO officially declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, we’ve quickly discovered another casualty of coronavirus: festival season. Major events like SXSW, Coachella, and the JUNO Awards have become the proverbial canaries in the coal mine, leading the list of festival already announced their cancellation or rescheduling. Despite the growing list of festivals to be effected by the virus, the East Coast Music Association have said there are no plans to cancel their 2020 awards show and conference happening in St. John’s, Newfoundland from April 29 to May 3.
Today, the East Coast Music Association released this statement:
“We have no plans to cancel the 32nd ECMAs.
Canada has one of the most robust health plans in the world in place to deal with an outbreak like the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
Past experience in dealing with SARS puts Canada at the forefront of preparedness.
ECMA will continue to take the advice from Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Theresa Tam, that the risk to Canadians remains low.
There are no cases of COVID -19 in NL and the city of St John’s has to date, not expressed concern about the upcoming event.”
Organizers say they have not received pressure from any branch of government to either cancel or postpone the event.
The City of St John’s, NL has also released this statement:
“Public health and information related to COVID-19 is a provincial and federal matter – Eastern Health, the Provincial Department of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada are the lead for information and public updates.
The City’s role in this event is the protection of our staff, maintaining essential services, and if required, cancelling public programs to reduce transmission. Officials continue to monitor the situation.”
The East Coast Music Association say that, in the meantime, they’ll also be taking their cues from events closer to home.
The 2020 East Coast Music Awards takes place in St. John’s, NL from April 29 to May 3. The East Coast Music Awards Show will be held on Thursday, April 30, at Mile One Centre. ECMA VIP Passes, Festival and Conference Passes, Weekend Warrior Wristbands, and tickets for the Big Ticket with Matt Mays show can be purchased online HERE.