Glastonbury 2020 has been cancelled due to coronavirus - here's what to do if you had tickets
This year's Glastonbury festival has been cancelled as uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues.
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Organisers Michael and Emily Eavis said they had hoped the situation in the UK would have "improved enormously" by the end of June in a statement.
But they admitted they could no longer spend "the next three months with thousands of crew here on the farm, helping us with the enormous job of building the infrastructure and attractions needed."
The festival only recently announced its first wave of acts, and was due to see headline performances from Kendrick Lamar, Taylor Swift and Sir Paul McCartney.
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The Glastonbury statement in full:
"We are so sorry to announce this, but Glastonbury 2020 will have to be cancelled, and this will be an enforced fallow year for the Festival.
"Clearly this was not a course of action we hoped to take for our 50th anniversary event, but following the new government measures announced this week – and in times of such unprecedented uncertainty – this is now our only viable option.
"We very much hope that the situation in the UK will have improved enormously by the end of June.
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"But even if it has, we are no longer able to spend the next three months with thousands of crew here on the farm, helping us with the enormous job of building the infrastructure and attractions needed to welcome more than 200,000 people to a temporary city in these fields.
"We would like to send our sincere apologies to the 135,000 people who have already paid a deposit for a Glastonbury 2020 ticket. The balance payments on those tickets were due at the beginning of April and we wanted to make a firm decision before then.
"We understand that it is not always easy to secure a Glastonbury ticket, which is why we would like to offer all those people the chance to roll their £50 deposit over to next year, and guarantee the opportunity to buy a ticket for Glastonbury 2021.
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"Those who would prefer a refund of that £50 will be able to contact See Tickets in the coming days in order to secure that. This option will remain available until September this year.
"For those who are happy to roll their deposit over, that will happen automatically. Further information – including details on rolling over coach packages, official accommodation bookings and local Sunday tickets – will be added to our website in the coming days.
"The cancellation of this year’s Festival will no doubt come as a terrible blow to our incredible crew and volunteers who work so hard to make this event happen.
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"There will also inevitably be severe financial implications as a result of this cancellation – not just for us, but also the Festival’s charity partners, suppliers, traders, local landowners and our community.
"We were so looking forward to welcoming you all for our 50th anniversary with a line-up full of fantastic artists and performers that we were incredibly proud to have booked.
"Again, we’re so sorry that this decision has been made. It was not through choice. But we look forward to welcoming you back to these fields next year and until then, we send our love and support to all of you."
Michael & Emily
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Will it be postponed to a later date?
The announcement is definitive; Glastonbury 2020 is cancelled.
It won't be pushed back to a later date, and the next time fans will get the chance to visit Worthy Farm will be in 2021.
Fans will be hoping the line-up for next year's festival reflects the planned running order of 2020, but with so much up in the air, it's unlikely organisers will be able to secure the same acts on the same schedule.
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What can I do if I had tickets?
It appears as if the festival will be honouring ticket holders by allowing them to roll their purchases over to next year's event.
"For those who are happy to roll their deposit over," said the festival, "that will happen automatically."
"Further information – including details on rolling over coach packages, official accommodation bookings and local Sunday tickets – will be added to our website in the coming days."
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Glastonbury is just the latest major public event to be cancelled, as shutdowns and state quarantines are enforced across the world in an effort to curb the spread of the disease.
Coronavirus: the facts
What is coronavirus?
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness that can affect lungs and airways. It is caused by a virus called coronavirus.
What caused coronavirus?
The outbreak started in Wuhan in China in December 2019 and it is thought that the virus, like others of its kind, has come from animals.
How is it spread?
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As this is such a new illness, experts still aren’t sure how it is spread.
But similar viruses are spread in cough droplets.
Therefore covering your nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, and disposing of used tissues straight away is advised.
Viruses like coronavirus cannot live outside the body for very long.
What are the symptoms?
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The NHS states that the symptoms are: a dry cough, high temperature and shortness of breath - but these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
Look out for flu-like symptoms, such as aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose and a sore throat.
It’s important to remember that some people may become infected but won’t develop any symptoms or feel unwell.
What precautions can be taken?
Washing your hands with soap and water thoroughly.
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The NHS also advises to cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze; put used tissues in the bin immediately and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Also avoiding touching eyes, nose and mouth unless your hands are clean.
Government advice
As of the 12 March the Government has moved into the "delay" phase of its plan to tackle coronavirus.
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Advice is that anyone with a continuous cough or high temperature should self-isolate for seven days.
People over 70 have been advised not to go on cruises and schools advised to cancel trips abroad, though schools remain open.
Should I avoid public places?
Most people who feel well can continue to go to work, school and public places and should only stay at home and self isolate if advised by a medical professional or the coronavirus service.
What should I do if I feel unwell?
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Don’t go to your GP but instead call NHS 111 or look online at the coronavirus service that can tell you if you need medical help and what to do next.
When to call NHS 111
NHS 111 should be used if you feel unwell with coronavirus symptoms, have been in a country with a high risk of coronavirus in the last 14 days or if you have been in close contact with someone with the virus.
Sources: World Health Organisation and NHS